Vaccine-Hesitant Parents’ Considerations Regarding Covid-19 Vaccination of Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Israel led a rapid vaccine rollout against COVID-19, leading to a local remission of the epidemic and rolling back of most public health measures. Further vaccination of 12-15-year-olds may be hindered by public perceptions of the necessity and safety of vaccination. Methods: we examined the considerations of vaccine hesitant parents (VHPs) regarding vaccination of children against COVID-19. The responses of 456 parents were surveyed and analyzed before FDA authorization of vaccination of children. Results: parents who were vaccinated against COVID-19 were more likely to intend to vaccinate their children (r=-0.466, p<0.01). Low accessibility of vaccination may be a dissuading factor for VHPs more inclined to vaccinate. Vaccine efficacy and gaining a "Green Pass" were positively associated with an intention to vaccinate and statistically significant. VHPs inclined not to vaccinate indicated short development time and possible long term effects as dissuading factors. Discussion: vaccine promotion should be tailored for VHPs' positive and negative considerations for higher uptake.

Willingness, refusal and influential factors of parents to vaccinate their children against the COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“… Yes [Y], no [N] Yes: 85.3 No: 14.7 ( Galanis et al, 2021b ) If a COVID-19 vaccine is available, will you vaccinate your child? Yes [Y], unsure [U], no [N] Yes: 36.0 Unsure: 30.5 No: 33.5 ( Atad et al, 2021 ) Do you intend to vaccinate your children when the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available for them? Yes, definitely [Y], yes, probably [N], undecided [N], no, probably not [N], no, definitely not [N] Yes: 31.5 No: 68.5 ( Davis et al, 2020 ) If a vaccine against COVID-19 becomes available in the next 12 months, how likely are you to get it for your child(ren)?…”

Worldwide Estimation of Parental Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine for Their Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Parent self-vaccination [ 54 , 64 , 90 , 92 , 101 , 113 , 117 , 119 , 120 , 122 , 125 , 127 , 128 , 132 , 134 , 136 ] or their willingness for self-vaccination [ 65 , 76 , 77 , 86 , 88 , 92 , 98 , 103 , 125 , 127 , 129 ] showed positive association with parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children in almost all studies. Just one study reported that among participants vaccinated against COVID-19, only 29.0% were willing to vaccinate their children [ 80 ].…”

“…Worry about vaccine safety and its potential adverse effect [ 56 , 59 , 64 , 65 , 67 , 70 , 72 , 76 , 77 , 81 , 85 , 86 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 94 , 95 , 98 , 101 , 103 , 105 , 112 , 115 , 116 , 118 , 121 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 140 , 142 ], novelty of vaccine and its’ short development time [ 57 , 101 , 116 ], and hesitancy regarding vaccine’s efficacy and benefits [ 56 , 59 , 66 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 92 , 94 , 101 , 105 , 115 , 117 , …”

“…Cost of vaccine [ 56 , 59 , 73 ], vaccine accessibility [ 59 , 63 , 101 , 123 , 141 ], and governmental incentive of giving a green pass after vaccination [ 101 , 123 ] were among of contributing factors for parents’ decision-making for their willingness to vaccinate their children.…”

The Effectiveness of Interventions for Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake: A Systematic Review

“…For example, it has been reported that there are concerns regarding the speed at which vaccines were developed [ 5 ], as well as worries regarding vaccine effectiveness, side-effects and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine [ 4 , 6 ]. In addition to barriers relating to knowledge and beliefs, there are also environmental barriers, such as vaccine shortages, inaccessible vaccination sites and ability to get time off work, which can serve as barriers even amongst the most willing [ 7 , 8 ]. Barriers are also not universal; therefore, it is important to understand the extent to which interventions are effective amongst specific groups.…”