Factors associated with parents’ willingness to enroll their children in trials for COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has taken an unprecedented global toll and vaccination is needed to restore healthy living. Timely inclusion of children in vaccination trials is critical. We surveyed caregivers of children seeking care in 17 Emergency Departments (ED) across 6 countries during the peak of the pandemic to identify factors associated with intent to participate in COVID-19 vaccine trials. Questions about child and parent characteristics, COVID-19 expressed concerns and parental attitudes toward participation in a trial were asked. Of 2768 completed surveys, 18.4% parents stated they would enroll their child in a clinical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine and 14.4% would agree to a randomized placebo-controlled study. Factors associated with willingness to participate were parents agreeing to enroll in a COVID-19 vaccine trial themselves (Odds Ratio (OR) 32.9, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (21.9-51.2)) having an older child (OR 1.0 (1.0-1.01)), having children who received all vaccinations based on their country schedule (OR 2.67 (1.35-5.71)) and parents with high school education or lower (OR 1.79 (1.18-2.74)). Mothers were less likely to enroll their child in a trial (OR 0.68 (0.47-0.97)). Only one fifth of families surveyed will consider enrolling their child in a vaccine trial. Parental interest in participation, history of vaccinating their child, and the child being older all are associated with parents allowing their child to participate in a COVID vaccine trial. This information may help decision-makers and researchers shape their strategies for trial design and participation engagement in upcoming COVID19 vaccination trials.

Parental Decision and Intent Towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Children With Asthma. An Econometric Analysis

“…We found that higher parental educational achievement was associated with a greater intention to have a child vaccinated. This is similar to other reports on vaccination (14,41). Interestingly, this effect is independent and of greater importance than the numeracy level variable or the cognitive test score ("slow" vs. "fast" thinking), which did not emerge as signi cant predictors.…”

“…However, in this study, 19.1% of parents of children with asthma said they were "unlikely" or "very unlikely" to have their child vaccinated if a vaccine was available, and 21.0% said they were "unlikely" or "very unlikely" to get vaccinated themselves. These ndings echo growing concern about support for COVID-19 vaccination, even among parents of children with chronic diseases (40,41).…”

Population Age-Ineligible for COVID-19 Vaccine in the United States: Implications for State, County, and Race/Ethnicity Vaccination Targets

“…Finally, overcoming vaccine hesitancy among women, particularly mothers, must be recognized as an urgent and vital necessity. 46 This is because women are typically the primary family healthcare consumers, 47,48 and once pediatric COVID-19 vaccines become available, mothers will control child uptake to a large extent. 49,50 * Vaccine ineligible population is the population aged 0-15 years old.…”

Community perception and determinants of willingness to uptake COVID-19 vaccines among residents of Osun State, South-West Nigeria

“…13,17,18 There was however contrary findings in the studies conducted in Jordan and an international survey where higher levels of education were not associated with willingness to uptake COVID-19 vaccine. 19,20 Perceptions of COVID-19 and its vaccine were important factors affecting willingness to uptake COVID-19 vaccine. More respondents with good perceptions were willing to take the vaccine.…”