An unpublished population study carried out in the UAE during October 2009 by medical students investigated the impact of the recent H1N1 pandemic on the parents of primary school children. They found that while the majority of parents had good knowledge of H1N1 and its mode of transmission, many had mistaken beliefs about the origin of the virus, for example thinking that it had been genetically engineered. Parents reported changing their behaviour because of H1N1, taking measures such as cancelling travel plans and restricting socializing. Also, while most had confidence in the way in which the authorities had managed the pandemic, they continued to worry that their families were at risk of infection and were not persuaded of the safety of available vaccines.