Parental experiences with vaccine information statements: Implications for timing, delivery, and parent-provider immunization communication

Objective: We examined Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) dissemination practices and parental use and perceptions. Methods: We conducted a national online panel survey of 2603 US parents of children aged <7. Primary outcomes included reported VIS receipt, delivery timing, reading experiences, and perceived utility. Results: Most parents received a VIS (77.2%; [95% CI: 74.5-79.7%]), 59.7% [56.6-62.7%] before vaccination but 14.5% [12.5-16.8%] reported receiving it after their child's immunization; 15.1% [13.0-17.6%] were unsure of receipt status or timing; another 10.7% [9.0-12.6%] reported non-receipt of a VIS. Less than half who received a VIS before vaccination completed it before vaccination (46.2% [42.4, 50.0%]), but most who read at least some found the information useful (95.7% [93.8-97.0%]). Parents who delayed or refused at least one recommended non-influenza vaccine reported fewer opportunities to ask providers VIS questions. Conclusions: Most parents report receiving VIS before vaccination as per federal guidelines. Continued effort is needed to enhance VIS distribution practice and parent-provider VIS content communication. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.