title: Children's perceptions of influenza illness and preferences for influenza vaccine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this qualitative study we explored children's perceptions of influenza, preferences for influenza vaccines, and ability to understand "risk" of vaccine adverse effects and different attributes between injectable and intranasal vaccines.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-person, semi-structured interviews were conducted among 28 U.S. children aged 6 through 12 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many children understood the concept of influenza illness and believed vaccination was important. Efficacy, adverse effects, and mode of administration affected their preferences for influenza vaccines. Children 8 years of age and older were able to consider multiple attributes when selecting between hypothetical vaccines, and their responses were consistent with their previously stated preferences for individual attributes. Most children would prefer a nasal spray over a shot vaccine when all other vaccine attributes were equal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efficacy, adverse effects, and mode of administration were important factors in children's preferences for influenza vaccine. Children as young as 8 years of age appeared to understand vaccine "risk" and were able to consider multiple attributes simultaneously when choosing between vaccine alternatives.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Outcomes, 7315 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 250W, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA. emuella.flood@oxfordoutcomes.com
authors.forename: Emuella M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.forename: Stan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Matthew D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rousculp
authors.forename: Victoria M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Divino
authors.forename: Seth L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Toback
authors.forename: Parthiv J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mahadevia
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines