Factors Affecting Parental Intent to Vaccinate Against COVID-19 in Kansas

Vaccines have been highly effective in reducing severe illness and death from COVID-19, yet vaccine hesitancy remains a significant barrier to further lowering the incidence of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing parental decisions about COVID-19 vaccination for their children in Kansas, including demographic variables, trust in medical professionals, vaccine safety, and the impact of misinformation.

Data were analyzed from Phase 3.7, Week 53 of the United States Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey (N = 68,504), collected between January 4 and January 16, 2023. The analysis focused on data specific to the state of Kansas (N = 1,231), using standard descriptive statistics to assess the findings.

The respondents were predominantly middle-aged, female, and Caucasian, with a high level of educational attainment and health insurance coverage. Among respondents, 45.7% (n = 563) had children under 18 living in their household. Of these, 73.5% (n = 414) expressed concerns that led them to refrain from vaccinating their children against COVID-19. The primary reasons for hesitancy included concerns about potential side effects, distrust in the vaccine's safety for children, and the belief that their children were not part of a high-risk group for having severe illness with COVID-19.

These findings underscore persistent concerns about COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy among parents, even within a relatively well-educated and insured population. Addressing these concerns with targeted public health messaging and education could be essential in increasing vaccination rates among children in Kansas.