Parents’ Likelihood to Vaccinate Their Children and Themselves Against COVID-19

Abstract

BackgroundVaccination against COVID-19 will likely involve children in order to mitigate transmission risks in community settings. Successful implementation of COVID-19 immunization in the United States may hinge on factors associated with parents’ likelihood of immunizing their children and themselves.MethodsWe fielded a national household survey in English and Spanish from June 5-10, 2020 (n=1,008). Parents were asked about their likelihood of immunizing their children and themselves against COVID-19. We fit separate regression models of parents’ likelihood to vaccinate themselves and their children against COVID-19, using bivariate and multivariable approaches in analyses weighted to be nationally representative.ResultsOverall, 63% of parents (95% CI: 59%, 66%) were likely to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, and 60% (57%, 64%) were likely to get a vaccine themselves. These responses were highly correlated (Pearson’s r=0.89). Parent age, sex, marital status, education level, and income were all associated with parents’ likelihood to vaccinate their children and themselves in bivariate analyses; race/ethnicity was significantly associated with parents’ likelihood to vaccinate their children. In multivariable analyses, younger parents were significantly less likely than older parents to vaccinate their children and themselves against COVID-19, as were parents with high school or less education compared with parents with bachelor’s degrees and non-Hispanic White parents compared with Hispanic parents (all p<.05).ConclusionIn this national survey, only approximately 60% of U.S. parents stated that they are likely to vaccinate their children or themselves against COVID-19. Addressing parents’ hesitancy to vaccinate themselves and their children against COVID-19 will be instrumental to achieving herd immunity in the US.

Parents’ willingness and attitudes concerning the COVID‐19 vaccine: A cross‐sectional study

“…In a study conducted in a paediatric emergency department, the child's age, receipt of routine vaccinations, having the child or a parent having been vaccinated against the flu in the previous year, and worrying about their child being infected COVID‐19 were found to be associated with increased parents’ willingness to permit administration of the COVID‐19 vaccine 9 . In another study, increased parental age, male gender, being married, being education to college level or higher and higher income were associated with willingness to allow their children to receive the COVID‐19 vaccine 13 . A study evaluating vaccine hesitation and rejection in Italy identified economic hardship as a determinant of vaccine hesitation.…”

“…9 In another study, increased parental age, male gender, being married, being education to college level or higher and higher income were associated with willingness to allow their children to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 13 A study evaluating vaccine hesitation and rejection in Italy identified economic hardship as a determinant of vaccine hesitation. A low level of education emerged as an indicator of complete vaccine rejection without affecting vaccine hesitations.…”

“…Written informed consent was obtained from online before the respondents completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed based on a review of the relevant literature 9‐17 . It was then tested on 15 parents and adjusted for accuracy and clarity.…”

“…The questionnaire was developed based on a review of the relevant literature. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] It was then tested on 15 parents and adjusted for accuracy and clarity. The self-administered survey consisted of 25 questions capable of completion in 5 minutes.…”

Developing effective siRNAs to reduce the expression of key viral genes of COVID-19

“…International Publisher [10]. In addition, certain susceptible populations have been suggested as inapplicable recipients of the vaccine, including women who are pregnant or within the lactation period and patients with severe basic illnesses or malignant tumors.…”