Mission: To save lives and reduce hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza.
Insights on Influenza
  • Science & Research

Survey Finds 2 in 3 Parents Get a Preventative Flu Shots Each Year

Posted on October 31, 2023
Share this article:

Families Fighting Flu conducted a survey last fall to see how many people protect themselves and what their perception of prescriptions and preventive medications are when it comes to treating influenza, also known as the flu.

Prioritizing Flu Shots for Children

One hundred percent of surveyed parents stated they plan to have their child receive a flu shot yearly. Yet, the survey found that only 2 in 3 parents actually have their child receive their annual flu vaccine. These results are encouraging as they indicate many parents prioritize vaccinating their children. Ideally, the number of parents who vaccinate their children would increase. Receiving an annual flu shot is the best way to prevent influenza viruses and minimize symptoms if contracted. 

Encouraging Beliefs About Medication Effectiveness

We were encouraged to learn that the vast majority of respondents share the common belief in line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations that the annual flu shot is an effective way to protect against the flu and its complications. Approximately 86% of individuals surveyed believe antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and that vaccines do help your immune system fight viruses. Unfortunately, only 72% of individuals knew that antivirals are used to treat viruses such as influenza. Understanding the appropriate treatment or medication used to treat different illnesses is critical.

Parents More Likely to Use Expired Medication for Themselves

The majority of parents use over-the-counter medications to prevent or treat the flu. Around two in three used a prescription medication to prevent and treat the flu. Many parents also had their children receive the flu vaccine as another preventative measure.

This survey helped to provide insight into what individuals, including parents, thought about prescriptions and preventative medications with interesting findings related to whether people would take or give their child expired medication.

Parents were less inclined to give their children expired medications than themselves. Thirty-six percent of individuals would not feel comfortable taking expired medication for themselves, while 58% would not feel comfortable giving their children expired medication. 

When a medication expired, respondents were more likely to toss it immediately for their children but not themselves. Seventy-one percent of people always check the expiration of their child’s medicine before administering it. It was clear that parents are more conservative and apprehensive when it comes to giving expired medication to their children. 

Overall, there was a common theme of parents either opting not to use an expired medication entirely or having significant concerns about potential complications.

Parents want the best prevention and treatment for their children as possible. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been closely tracking the increased demand of certain medicines due in part to multiple illnesses circulating this winter season. To make sure your children are protected this flu season, consider stocking up before you or your child experience symptoms this year.

Learn More About Fighting the Flu

Families Fighting Flu educates about the seriousness of influenza and the importance of annual vaccination so that no one suffers serious flu complications or death. Learn more about our mission and resources here and empower your family to stay healthy this flu season.

You might also be interested in...

History of Vaccines: How and Why Do Vaccines Work
Fighting Flu Together: Know Your Flu Testing Options in 2024
text reading black history month
Celebrating Black Health Heroes Fighting Flu
Stay Informed
Sign up for our Weekly Flu News and quarterly newsletter, Fighting Influenza, to stay up-to-date on the latest flu news.
Newsletter

LOGO LICENSE AGREEMENT

You are required to accept all of the terms and conditions in this License Agreement in order to receive a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, royalty-free license to use the FAMILIES FIGHTING FLU, INC. logo, displayed below (the “FFF Logo”), from Families Fighting Flu, Inc. (“FFF”). In order to accept these terms and conditions, you must click the “I Accept” button below.

  1. FFF hereby grants to you, and you accept, a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, royalty-free license to use the FFF Logo, which you may download and use solely in online and print earned media publications for a period of no more than six (6) months in the United States.
  2. You acknowledge that the FFF Logo is a valid trademark; that FFF is the sole owner of the FFF Logo; and that FFF retains all right, title, and interest in and to the FFF Logo. You agree that any and all use that you make of the FFF Logo, and any and all goodwill arising from your use of the FFF Logo, shall inure exclusively to the benefit of FFF.  You also agree that you shall not challenge the validity of the FFF Logo or FFF’s ownership or title thereto during the term of the License Agreement or thereafter.
  3. You agree that you shall use the FFF Logo only in the form shown above, and that you shall not alter, modify, change, or edit the FFF Logo in any manner.
  4. You acknowledge the valuable goodwill and reputation in the FFF Logo, and that it is essential that the high standards and reputation associated with the FFF Logo be maintained. You therefore agree to use the FFF Logo consistent with the highest standards of quality so as to protect and maintain the FFF Logo and FFF’s rights therein.
  5. FFF shall have the right to review and inspect your use of the FFF Logo at any time. FFF, in its sole discretion, may determine that you are not using the FFF Logo in an acceptable manner and require that you discontinue your use of the FFF Logo.  To the extent that FFF requires that you discontinue your use of the FFF Logo, you agree that you shall remove the FFF Logo from all online and print earned media publications as soon as practicable under the circumstances, and that you shall not use the FFF at any time in the future.
  6. You must include the following notice in connection with any use of the FFF Logo: “The Families Fighting Flu, Inc. logo is the registered trademark of Families Fighting Flu, Inc.”
I Accept