Parents’ perspective on COVID-19 vaccine in children 6 months through 4 years: a cross-sectional study from Northwest Wisconsin

Abstract

Vaccination is critical to control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but despite the availability of safe and effective vaccine in children over 5 years, vaccination rates remain low. There is paucity of data about vaccine acceptance and factors influencing parents’ hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine for young children. Aims and objectives To estimate vaccine acceptance by parents of children 6 months through 4 years, and to evaluate the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy. Methods Electronic survey was sent to parents of children 6 months through 4 years through an online portal account at Mayo Clinic Health System, Northwest-Wisconsin. Data were captured via Research Electronic Data Capture secured data collection software. Bivariate and multivariate regression was used to determine most pertinent factors influencing parents’ decisions against the outcome, ‘Intent to Vaccinate’. Results 39.7% of the parents were ‘very likely’ or ‘somewhat likely ’ to vaccinate their children once the vaccine became available, while 49.8% were not likely or highly unlikely to vaccinate. Routine childhood vaccination, receiving seasonal influenza vaccine, parents' perception of COVID-19 severity in children and safety and effectiveness of the vaccine were all associated with more vaccine acceptance. 71.4% of parents who will likely not vaccinate their children indicated that they are unlikely to change their decision. The need for more research on the vaccine and more information from the PCP office were the most common reasons behind the vaccine decision-making. Conclusions Vaccine hesitancy remains a major issue regarding uptake of the upcoming COVID-19 vaccine. Strong and clear evidence-based recommendations from primary care provider and more information from trusted websites such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can decrease vaccine hesitancy in parents. Further research targeted at understanding beliefs and perspectives of parents from different demographics can assist policy-makers in implementing measures to improve vaccination rates in children and tailor our dialogue to match the needs of our patients and families.

Changes in COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability among Parents with Children Aged 6–35 Months in China—Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys in 2020 and 2021

“…The coverage of COVID-19 vaccination among children in China has been increasing rapidly without serious safety concerns [ 53 ]. The levels of parental acceptability in both rounds were higher than that reported in the United States (39.7%) [ 26 ] and the United Kingdom (48.2%) [ 27 ]. However, such levels of parental acceptability among our participants were lower when compared to Chinese parents having older children [ 31 , 33 , 34 , 37 , 38 , 40 , 49 ].…”

“…However, providing children with COVID-19 vaccination is challenging due to low parental acceptability, especially for those of younger age [ 25 ]. Studies about parental acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6–35 months are still limited [ 26 , 27 ]. One cross-sectional study conducted in the United States showed that only 40% of parents were willing to vaccinate their children aged between six months and four years against COVID-19 [ 26 ].…”

“…Studies about parental acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6–35 months are still limited [ 26 , 27 ]. One cross-sectional study conducted in the United States showed that only 40% of parents were willing to vaccinate their children aged between six months and four years against COVID-19 [ 26 ]. A similar level of COVID-19 vaccination acceptability was found among parents with children under 18 months in the United Kingdom [ 27 ].…”

“…A similar level of COVID-19 vaccination acceptability was found among parents with children under 18 months in the United Kingdom [ 27 ]. Routine childhood vaccination, receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine, perceived severity of COVID-19 in children, vaccine safety, and effectiveness were associated with higher vaccine acceptability [ 26 ]. Common concerns, such as vaccine safety, effectiveness, and rapid vaccine development, were negatively associated with vaccine acceptability [ 27 ].…”

Parental Hesitancy on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children Under Five Years in Thailand: Role of Attitudes and Vaccine Literacy

“…This is similar to one survey conducted in the US during the first half of 2022 (45.6%), 27 but is a higher rate than three other US surveys conducted between April and May 2022: 18%, 28 31.3%, 23 and 39.7%. 29 A scoping review of studies between 2020 and 2021 revealed that the rate of vaccination acceptance for children or adolescents varied widely from 4.9% to 91% and the median acceptance rate was 53.70%. 20 They reported that the median acceptance rate after the adolescent vaccine approval (64.2%) was higher than the rate before approval (49.4%).…”