PHYSICIAN AND PARENT OPINIONS - ARE CHILDREN BECOMING PINCUSHIONS FROM IMMUNIZATIONS

Objective: To determine parent and physician opinions regarding the ad ministration of multiple childhood immunizations by injection. Design: Confidential mailed survey to physicians and residents; interview of parents during office visits for immunizations. Participants: Physicia ns and parents from Rochester, NY. Results: The survey included 215 pr acticing physicians and 74 residents; response rate was 82%. Of the 19 7 parents interviewed, 93% were mothers, 68% were white; the mean (+/- SD) age was 25.8+/-5.2 years, with 12.8+/-1.8 years of education; 59% had private insurance, and 35% had Medicaid coverage. Of the parents, 31% had strong concerns about their child receiving a single injection ; an additional 10% (total, 41% vs 31%; chi(2) = 4.05, P = .04) had th e same concerns about their child receiving three injections. More pra cticing physicians than parents had strong concerns about children 7 m onths old or younger receiving three injections (60% vs 41%; chi(2) = 7.71, P less than or equal to.01). Physician concern increased further when physicians were asked about administration of four injections (8 0% vs 60%; chi(2) = 18.77, P<.001). Of the parents, 64% preferred one rather than two visits to have three injections administered, if their physician recommended it; 58% still preferred one visit even if four injections were needed. Conclusions: Physicians have more concerns tha n parents about the administration of multiple injections at a single visit. Pain for the child was the main concern of all respondents. Whi le most physicians have strong concerns about administering three or m ore injections at one visit, most parents prefer this practice. Contin ued education, and reassurance of parents and physicians is needed to address concerns about children becoming ''pincushions'' from immuniza tions.