Researchers in China surveyed nearly 400 mothers about their willingness to pay for optional vaccines (those beyond the government-funded schedule) for young children. They wanted to understand: does family structure affect how parents decide on extra immunisations?
The study looked at mothers across different family types to see whether having one child versus multiple children changed their vaccine choices.
Single-child families chose optional vaccines more often
About two-thirds of all mothers surveyed said yes to optional vaccines. But the numbers shifted sharply by family type: 68% of mothers with one child wanted these extras, compared to just 59% of mothers with multiple children. That 9-percentage-point gap is substantial.
Mothers with one child tended to be younger, better educated, and working full-time—factors that may influence medical decisions. Even after researchers accounted for these differences, however, the core finding held: having multiple children remained linked with lower uptake of optional vaccines.
Managing competing demands shapes medical choices
Interestingly, this wasn't primarily about affordability or caring less about health. Instead, the research suggests that parents with multiple children approach discretionary medical decisions differently. When juggling several children's healthcare, schedules, and budgets simultaneously, parents may prioritise differently than those with one child's needs to manage.
Singapore parents face similar decisions daily
Singapore's immunisation landscape mirrors the study context. The National Immunisation Schedule covers essential vaccines through public funding, but optional ones—like rotavirus, chickenpox, or pneumococcal protection—require private payment and active parental choice. This means Singapore families must weigh which extras align with their circumstances.
For Singapore parents, this research affirms that vaccine decisions depend partly on your family's real-world situation: your time, energy, finances, and number of children all matter. Healthcare providers benefit too from understanding that messaging about optional vaccines works best when it acknowledges these different family realities, rather than using one-size-fits-all advice.
Making the choice that fits your family
- Gather accurate information about which optional vaccines suit your child's age and health profile before deciding.
- Discuss your family's priorities and constraints with your doctor, who can tailor recommendations to your situation.
- Remember that choosing optional vaccines—or not—reflects your circumstances; both parents with one child and multiple children can make informed, valid decisions.