Despite the increased risk of complications from the flu, children with neurological disorders are not more likely to be vaccinated against flu than young persons without these conditions, according to a study.
Michael J. Smith, M.D., is an associate professor in the UofL Department of Pediatrics and a pediatric infectious disease specialist with University of Louisville Physicians. Smith is lead author of the study that is the first to estimate the rates of flu vaccination among children with neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders (NNDDs).
“Our research shows that influenza vaccination in children with NNDDs is comparable to vaccination in healthy children — but both rates are suboptimal,” Smith said. “More education about the need for annual influenza vaccination is needed, both for parents and health care providers.”
