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Parental acceptability of vaccinating young children against influenza and COVID-19
Céline Berthélémy1, Pascal Bouché1, Zohra Lamiral2
1Lorraine University, France.
Insights
Parental acceptance of childhood influenza and COVID-19 vaccination is around 40%, driven by protection motives but hindered by side-effect fears. Education level and media sources significantly influence parental decisions on child vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pose significant health risks, with vaccination being a primary preventive measure.
- Vaccination policies for children differ between influenza and COVID-19 in France, with parental decisions playing a crucial role.
- Understanding parental attitudes towards childhood vaccination is essential for improving public health strategies and vaccine coverage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore parental opinions on COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations for children.
- To identify factors influencing parental decisions regarding childhood vaccinations.
- To inform strategies for enhancing vaccination coverage among children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaires.
- Data were collected from parents of children attending 14 childcare institutions over two months (December 2021-February 2022).
- The questionnaire assessed parental demographics, perceived acceptability of vaccinations, and sources of information.
Main Results:
- Approximately 40% of parents supported childhood vaccination for influenza (41.7%) and COVID-19 (37%).
- Key motivators included individual and collective protection, while fear of side effects and child's age were significant barriers.
- Parental education level and information sources (primarily media) influenced vaccination acceptability.
Conclusions:
- Parental support for childhood influenza and COVID-19 vaccination is moderate, with a strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable individuals.
- Media significantly influences vaccination decisions, particularly among parents with lower education levels.
- Targeted public health interventions addressing parental concerns and educational disparities are needed to improve childhood vaccination rates.
Introduction:
The struggle against influenza, and more recently against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), relies mostly on protective measures and vaccines. In France, COVID-19 vaccination campaigns include children over 5 years of age, whereas the influenza vaccine is reserved for children and infants older than 6 months with severe chronic disease. The final decision to vaccinate ultimately rests with the parents. This study aimed to explore the opinions of parents regarding COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, and which factors are likely to influence their decision in order to improve prevention approaches, and thus obtain better vaccination coverage among children.
Methods And Survey:
In this trans-sectional multicenter survey, self-administered questionnaires were sent to parents of children attending 14 childcare institutions over a period of 2 months, December 2021-February 2022. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: the first collected general, social and professional data, the second addressed perceived parental acceptability regarding influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations in healthy children, while the last section explored the main sources of information consulted by the parents regarding vaccinations. Subject's characteristics were described using number and percentages, as they are all categorical variables. Description of answers regarding both influenza and COVID-19 sources of information data were performed. Characteristics of patients answers were described and compared according to intention of vaccine groups.
Results:
Among the 343 questionnaires collected, 41.7 % of respondents stated they were supportive of vaccination of their children against influenza and 37 % against COVID-19. Media (Internet, TV and radio) were the most cited sources of information. Incentive factors for both vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 were individual, and collective protection. Limiting factors were fear of side effect and Age of the child. Media was the sole source of information, concerning vaccination against influenza for 59 % non-graduates and 28 % of participants having a higher education level, and respectively 49 % and 19 % for vaccination against COVID-19. The acceptability rate was influenced by the level of education and the sources of information.
Discussion And Conclusion:
About 40 % of the parents were supportive of children's vaccinations against COVID-19 and influenza respectively (37 % and 42 %) in order to protect the vulnerable people around them. The media influences the decision to vaccinate especially when the level of education is low.
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