Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed Parental Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Vaccinating their Children against the Flu?

Abstract

Introduction: This study assessed whether the COVID 19 pandemic has altered parent's attitudes toward vaccinating their children against the flu, and the contributing sociodemographic, health related, and behavioral factors, as well as barriers to school based vaccination programs. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional online survey of parents of children aged 6 months to 11 years in Israel (n=975) between December 21 to 31, 2022. A multivariate regression was performed to determine predictors of these parent's willingness to vaccinate their children aged 6 months to 11 years against the flu in the winter of 2023 (December 2022 to February 2023). Results: Overall, 45% of parents stated that they did not intend to vaccinate their children against the flu in the winter of 2023, citing fears of side effects and concerns about vaccine effectiveness. Among those who did not trust the Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies prior to the pandemic, this trend increased in 78% of them following the COVID 19 events. In contrast, 39% of parents stated that they had already vaccinated their children against the flu, with an additional 16% intending to do so. Forty one percent reported an increased intention following the pandemic. Only 37% of parents vaccinated their children at school in grades 2 to 4, mainly due to a preference for HMO clinics and lack of available nurses at school. The Health Belief Model variables, namely, perceived susceptibility, severity and benefits, displayed the largest effect sizes. Conclusions: Understanding the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against the flu is crucial. Notably, the pandemic has increased vaccine receptivity among some parents. Healthcare providers and public health officials need to address parents' concerns about the safety and efficacy of the influenza vaccine to improve vaccination rates among children. Implementing school based vaccination programs is an important strategy for promoting public health, but may be challenging. To increase uptake, nursing staff in student health facilities should be more accessible, and clear explanations about the efficacy of nasal spray vaccinations should be provided.