Australian parents' experiences with adolescent age-based vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic

In Australia, adolescents are scheduled to receive vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, human papillomavirus, and meningococcal disease, delivered via school vaccination programs and general practitioners (GPs). Public health measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic impacted uptake of some adolescent age-based vaccinations. Limited information is available on parents' approaches to vaccinating their adolescent children during the pandemic. We aimed to explore parents' experiences of adolescent age-based vaccinations during the pandemic, and factors they perceived as hindering or facilitating vaccination.

In July 2022 we recruited 21 Australian parents of adolescent children eligible for age-based vaccinations in 2021. We recruited from metropolitan and regional settings, and from states where uptake was most and least affected by pandemic disruptions. We conducted 30-min virtual or phone interviews and analysed the data thematically.

Parents described how experiences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced their perspectives on and experiences with adolescent age-based vaccinations. Motivation to vaccinate their children was informed by personal beliefs and experiences with the healthcare system. Parents described practical issues, including ease of access to the school vaccination program or a GP, and knowledge about vaccination schedules and services. Parents suggested enhancing promotion of adolescent vaccination benefits and information sharing, and recommended improving access to vaccination services outside the school program.

Findings have potential to improve delivery of adolescent age-based vaccinations, including during future pandemics. While this study was conducted in the Australian context, findings and recommendations have relevance to overseas adolescent age-based vaccination programs.