Understanding caregivers' decision to vaccinate childhood cancer survivors against COVID‐19

Abstract

BackgroundVaccination against COVID‐19 is recommended for childhood cancer survivors (CCS). This study aimed to identify antecedents contributing to caregivers' decisions to vaccinate CCS aged 5–17 years against COVID‐19 by applying the Theory of Planned Behavior.MethodsParticipants in this cross‐sectional study completed an online survey assessing caregiver attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention to vaccinate CCS, CCS vaccination status, COVID‐19 health literacy, and frequency of COVID‐19 information‐seeking. Surveys were completed between May and June 2022 following approval for the emergency use of COVID‐19 vaccines among children aged ≥5 years in the U.S. Data were analyzed using unadjusted linear regressions and structural equation modeling.ResultsParticipants were caregivers (n = 160, 87.5% biological mothers, 75.6% white/non‐Hispanic) of CCS (n = 160, 44.4% female, mean (M) = 12.5 years old, M = 8.0 years off treatment). 70.0% (n = 112) of caregivers and 53.8% (n = 86) of CCS received a COVID‐19 vaccine. Over one‐third (37.5%) of caregivers reported disagreement or indecision about future COVID‐19 vaccination for the CCS. Caregivers' intention (β = 0.962; standard error [S.E.] = 0.028; p < 0.001) was highly related to CCS vaccination status. Attitudes (β = 0.568; S.E. = 0.078; p < 0.001) and subjective norms (β = 0.322; S.E. = 0.062; p < 0.001) were associated with intention. Higher frequency of COVID‐19 information‐seeking (β = 0.313; S.E. = 0.063; p < 0.001) and COVID‐19 health literacy (β = 0.234; S.E. = 0.059; p < 0.001) had a positive indirect effect on intention through attitudes and subjective norms.ConclusionsCaregivers' vaccination intentions for minor CCS are highly related to vaccination behavior and shaped by attitudes, subjective norms, COVID‐19 health literacy, and frequency of COVID‐19 information‐seeking. Promoting tailored communication with caregivers of CCS and encouraging them to review reputable sources of information can address their vaccine hesitancy.

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Parents of Children Younger than 12 Years: Experience from a Tertiary Outpatient Clinic

“…Vaccine-hesitant parents have received considerable attention in recent years. Although research has been conducted on parental VH, few studies have examined parental VH in children with CD [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Regarding parental COVID-19 VH, infection in CD ranges from 26% to 81% [ 28 , 31 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”