Introduction

The influenza virus poses a significant epidemiological problem worldwide, characterized by high infectivity and the potential for severe complications, especially among children. According to the World Health Organization, this problem affects up to 30% of the pediatric population annually, which translates to a high number of cases and hospitalizations in Poland, presenting a serious challenge to the healthcare system.

Material and methods

Between 2024 and 2025, a survey study (n = 250) was conducted in Poland to assess parental awareness of free influenza vaccinations and to identify factors influencing the decision to immunize a child. The χ2 test, Fisher’s exact test, and the gamma correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis, and the strength of association was determined using the odds ratio (OR). A significance threshold of p < 0.05 was adopted.

Results

An alarmingly low vaccination rate was observed (2.8% across both analyzed seasons combined), despite the availability of free vaccines. The strongest predictor was the parent’s vaccination status – a vaccinated parent was almost 37 times more likely to vaccinate their child (OR = 36.992). A key barrier was the lack of information from a primary care physician, which affected 63.9% of parents who did not vaccinate their children. Receiving medical information increased the likelihood of child vaccination more than 10-fold (OR = 10.475). The critically low vaccination rate (2.6%) in the group of children with chronic illnesses is particularly concerning.

Conclusions

The study highlights the fundamental role of physician-parent communication and pro-vaccination attitudes. Systemic educational interventions are necessary, involving medical personnel in providing information about the benefits and safety of vaccinations, especially in at-risk groups.