Parents' Intentions to Vaccinate Their Children Against COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Vaccinology
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is expanding to include children aged 12 and over.
• Parental vaccine hesitancy (VH) regarding COVID-19 vaccination for children remains a significant public health concern.
• Limited data exists on parental attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors concerning pediatric COVID-19 vaccination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine parental attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to administering the COVID-19 vaccine to their children.
• To identify factors influencing parental vaccine hesitancy for pediatric COVID-19 vaccination.
• To provide a baseline understanding of parental perceptions in the early stages of pediatric vaccine availability.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive correlational study design was employed.
• Data was collected on parental intentions, desires, and concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination for their children.
• Statistical analysis was used to identify factors correlating with vaccine hesitancy.

Main Results:

• Only 44.17% of parents reported plans to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once available.
• Concerns about vaccine side effects (61.5%) and safety (48.96%) were primary drivers of vaccine hesitancy.
• Parents who planned to vaccinate their children against influenza were less hesitant about COVID-19 vaccination.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to describe parental perceptions of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in children.
• Parental concerns regarding vaccine safety and side effects significantly increase hesitancy.
• Understanding these factors is crucial for developing targeted public health strategies to improve pediatric COVID-19 vaccine uptake.