THE CONCORDANCE OF INFLUENZA VACCINATION BEHAVIORS AMONG ADULTS AND CHILDREN RESIDING WITHIN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, AND VIRGINIA

Abstract

Background: The distinctive barking sound of whooping cough and rubella's birth defects highlight vaccinations' importance as a public health initiative and medical advancement of the twentieth century. However, little research examines concordance of influenza vaccination uptake between same-household adults and children. Methods: A secondary data analysis of CDC's 2009 National H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS) examined concordance between adults' influenza vaccination behaviors and responses to NHFS questions representing HBM constructs with the influenza vaccination of same-household children from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV). Results: Concordance existed between influenza vaccination statuses of adults and same-household children. HBM constructs of perceived susceptibility, severity, and the cue to action of physician vaccine recommendation were associated with more vaccinated children. Conclusions: This research highlights adults' influenza vaccination status impact on same-household DMV children. Future research is needed to examine parental influenza vaccination effects on influenza vaccination status of their biological children.