Supervisors info:
Νικολέττα Ιακωβίδου, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπουσα
Θεοδώρα Μπούτσικου, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Χρυσάνθη Τζουμάκα-Μπακούλα, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Objective: The flu is a contagious disease of the respiratory, caused by the influenza virus. It can cause both mild or severe infection and sometimes it can even lead to death. Υoung children and adolescents who suffer from a chronic disease are in more danger of the severe outcomes of the flu and the best way to protect themselves is by vaccination. The aim of the present study is to estimate the vaccination status of those patients, as well as analyze some the factors, who might be responsible of it.
Methodology: A total of 100 patients between 12 months and 15,5 years old, who suffer from a chronic disease and are considered as high risk patents and were either hospitalized or examined during a 6 month period (from October 2018 until April 2019) at the General Children’s Hospital “Paidwn Pentelis”, were included in the study. We recorded the vaccination status against the flu and other factors that may be responsible for it, such as the type of illness they are suffering from, the regular pediatric observance, the parents’ education level, the rest of the vaccines the child should have done according to its age and the main reason the parents did or did not proceed with the vaccination for their children. The chronic diseases we include in the study were asthma, type 1 Diabetes, hemoglobinopathy and neurological conditions.
Results: In the present study 76% of the patients appear to be vaccinated against the flu. However , 76,9% of those patients are not properly vaccinated as they should have, considering their age. Children with a history of asthma seem to have 10% less chance of vaccination , when children with a history of henoglobinopathy or diabetes have 9% more chance to be vaccinated against the flu. The main cause that parents stand against the vaccination is the possible side effects of the vaccine. Pediatricians also seem to play an important role as most of the patients (87,4%) who had regular visits to their physician appear to be vaccinated. Last but not least , parents with a lower education level appear to have 66,2% less chance to vaccinate their children.
Conclusions: Vaccination against the flu remains until today the best way to protect ourselves from the flu and it is absolutely necessary for those who have a history of a chronic disease. Unfortunately, it seems that the possible side effects of the vaccines, the lack of regular pediatric supervision and the low parents’ education level are some the factors who stand against it. As a result we face low vaccination status not only against the flu but also against other serious illnesses and the fear of severe consequences is upon us. Pediatric guidance seems to be an obligation so as to avoid these possible problems in the future.
Keywords:
Influenza, Children and adolescents, High risk patients, Vaccination
