Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use and Influenza Vaccine

Increases in vaccine hesitancy nationwide have resulted in lower vaccine rates in some areas and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Provider endorsement of vaccines is a major factor in parental acceptance of childhood vaccinations. Although most physicians understand the overwhelming benefits of vaccines, providers of nonconventional medicine might be more likely to support the antivaccine viewpoint, and previous studies have demonstrated that adults who use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are less likely to receive influenza vaccine.

Using data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, investigators studied associations between any use of CAM and influenza vaccination in children. Overall, 67% of children in the …