Survey Shows Parents' Best Intentions Out of Step With Expert Recommendations in Protecting Kids...(would be extremely or very willing to tr...),Health

A large majority of parents of eight-to-17-year-olds (80 percent) are reliant on doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals for information about flu vaccines, according to the survey.1 In fact, two-thirds (66 percent) indicate that a healthcare provider's recommendation impacts their decision a great deal or quite a bit when determining whether or not to have their child vaccinated against the flu.1 Among parents who have ever had their child vaccinated, half (53 percent) say that their child received the flu vaccine because their child's healthcare provider recommended it.1

About Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as "the flu," is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus.3 The flu, much like the common cold, is airborne and can be easily transmitted from person to person.3 Cold and flu are often confused for one another because both are respiratory illnesses.4 Flu symptoms are often much worse and can include fever, chills, headache, extreme fatigue, and body aches.4 The most notable difference is that the flu can result in serious complications such as pneumonia and bacterial infections.4 Also, unlike symptoms of the common cold, the fatigue and weakness caused by the flu can last more than two weeks-- lingering long after other symptoms subside.4

About the Parent and Child Flu Surveys
These surveys were conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of MedImmune between June 4 and June 19, 2008 among 952 U.S. residents ages 24 and older with an 8-17 year old in the household for whom they are the parent or guardian and among 875 U.S. children and adolescents 8-17 years old. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.

Harris Interactive conducts a full range of custom research projects for cl
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