Impact of vaccine cost and information about complications of varicella on parental decision regarding varicella vaccine.

BACKGROUND The influence of providing information about complications of disease and vaccine cost on parental decision to vaccinate against varicella was assessed. METHOD During telephone interviews of 330 parents of infants aged 9 months, parents were asked if they would agree to have their child vaccinated and were presented information first about varicella complications and then about cost of the vaccine. RESULTS When complications were explained but information about cost was not, 94% of parents were favourable toward having their child vaccinated. When complications were not explained but cost was presented, this percentage was only 34%. When both cost and complications were presented, 60% of parents were favourable toward the vaccine. INTERPRETATION In improving receptivity towards varicella vaccine, parents should always be presented data regarding varicella complications by their health care provider.