Intention of Parents to Immunize Children against SARS-CoV-2 in Italy

Abstract

Several countries have targeted adolescents for immunization against SARS-CoV-2 to mitigate COVID-19 spread. In Italy, immunization for children ≥ 12 years has been available starting from June 2021. We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the knowledge, attitude and intention to vaccinate children < 18 years in Italian families. We used a multinomial logistic regression model to investigate factors associated with intention to vaccinate. We collected a total of 1696 responses. Among the 491 families of children ≥ 12 years, 41.2% would not vaccinate their children and 21.2% were uncertain, while among the 1205 families of children < 12 years, 36.1% would not vaccinate and 33.8% were uncertain. Determinants of intention to vaccinate both age groups were perceived safety and efficacy of vaccines and perceived risk of transmitting infection to adults. For children < 12 years, additional determinants were perceived risk of being infected and being hospitalized because of COVID-19. In view of the expanding strategy to vaccinate adolescents and the availability of immunization for children < 12 years, our results call for a communication strategy targeted at families of children focused on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine in children and on the dynamics of infection spread across different age groups. As perceptions in families are volatile and may change rapidly over time, repeated surveys for measuring attitudes to vaccinate would be advisable.

Children’s rates of COVID-19 vaccination as reported by parents, vaccine hesitancy, and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake among children: a multi-country study from the Eastern Mediterranean Region

“…For example, a study showed that parents who are anxious from COVID-19 are keener to vaccinate children [ 31 ]. Another study showed that the perceived danger of being infected with COVID-19 is one of the determinants for parents’ willingness to vaccinate children [ 18 ]. Additionally, another research found that the readiness to get the COVID-19 vaccine increases with a higher perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 [ 33 ].…”

“…Arab countries also reported similar trends in COVID-19 hesitancy [ 15 – 17 ]. Certainly, individuals who are hesitant in getting vaccinated query the usefulness and safety of vaccines for their children [ 18 ]. In Italy, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and intention to vaccinate children < 18 years.…”

“…In Italy, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and intention to vaccinate children < 18 years. They found that 41.2% of families of children ≥12 years and 36.1% among families of children < 12 years would not vaccinate their children [ 18 ]. Perceived vaccine safety and efficacy and perceived risk of transmission of infection to adults were the two determinants of intention to vaccinate for both age groups [ 18 ].…”

Mental Health and Health-Related Quality of Life in German Adolescents after the Third Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The present sample included adolescents aged 12–17 years from a specific German region who decided to receive a vaccination against COVID-19. Although vaccination willingness is relatively high in Germany overall [ 30 ], recent international studies show that the decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents depends on vaccine safety and efficacy, the perceived risk of infection transmission, and specific socio-demographic variables [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The willingness to receive a vaccination is increased in older adolescents, in those using more social media, and those having both parents vaccinated [ 32 ]; the willingness is decreased in those with higher distress over the effects [ 31 ], and in families with a lower income and a migrant background [ 33 ].…”

“…Although vaccination willingness is relatively high in Germany overall [ 30 ], recent international studies show that the decision to receive a COVID-19 vaccination in children and adolescents depends on vaccine safety and efficacy, the perceived risk of infection transmission, and specific socio-demographic variables [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. The willingness to receive a vaccination is increased in older adolescents, in those using more social media, and those having both parents vaccinated [ 32 ]; the willingness is decreased in those with higher distress over the effects [ 31 ], and in families with a lower income and a migrant background [ 33 ]. This is in line with the results of the present sample, as parental education level was high (>80% had a high or medium level of education) [ 15 ] suggesting a higher socio-economic status (SES) of the participating families.…”