Strategies to decrease COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy for children

Abstract

Objectives This study aims to understand acceptable strategies to enhance the COVID-19 vaccine uptake among mothers who have no intention to vaccinate their children. Methods In a cross-sectional study, using an online survey in March 2021, we evaluated the variables within the Health Belief Model (severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers and cues to action) along with parents’ sociodemographic characteristics, previous COVID-19 infection, job loss due to COVID-19 pandemic and the presence of healthcare workers among the household. Total number of children in the household and their chronic health conditions were also assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the intention to vaccinate children against the COVID-19 and associations with other variables. Key findings The survey response rate was 32.30% (595/1842). Most of the participants were White (72.1%), 31–40 years old (55.46%) and married or in a cohabiting relationship (90.25). Out of 595 mothers with 3–15 years old children, 38.32% had no intention to vaccinate their children. Top factors associated with intention were perceived susceptibility (P = 0.002), benefits (P < 0.001), barriers (P < 0.001), cues to action (P < 0.001) and the presence of healthcare workers in the household (P = 0.032). The main barriers were concerns about vaccine safety, efficacy and side effects. The strongest cue to action was enough information being provided followed by doctors’ recommendations. Conclusions Strategies to increase vaccination for children lie in the process of convincing parents with providing reliable information on the vaccine safety, efficacy and side effects by paediatricians and other healthcare providers.

Parents' Perceptions and Intention to Vaccinate Their Children Against COVID-19: Results From a Cross-Sectional National Survey in India

“…Our findings contribute to an emerging literature suggesting that there is a low demand for childhood COVID-19 vaccine among parents ( 7 – 9 , 11 , 17 ). A study conducted in Texas, USA reported that about 38.3% of mothers had no intention to consider COVID-19 vaccine for their children ( 17 ).…”

“…Our findings contribute to an emerging literature suggesting that there is a low demand for childhood COVID-19 vaccine among parents ( 7 – 9 , 11 , 17 ). A study conducted in Texas, USA reported that about 38.3% of mothers had no intention to consider COVID-19 vaccine for their children ( 17 ). The proportion of willing parents in India is considerably lower as compared to other countries as per studies from England (89%) ( 7 ); New Zealand (80%) ( 18 ); China (73%) ( 19 ); USA (65%) ( 20 ); Canada (63%) ( 10 ); Japan (42.9%) ( 15 ) and Turkey (42%) ( 21 ).…”

Parents’ perceptions and intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19: Results from a cross-sectional national survey in India

“…Our findings contribute to an emerging literature suggesting that there is a low demand for childhood COVID-19 vaccine among parents(7–9,11,16). A study conducted in Texas, USA reported that about 38.3% of mothers had no intention to consider COVID-19 vaccine for their children(16).…”

“…Our findings contribute to an emerging literature suggesting that there is a low demand for childhood COVID-19 vaccine among parents(7–9,11,16). A study conducted in Texas, USA reported that about 38.3% of mothers had no intention to consider COVID-19 vaccine for their children(16). Proportion of willing parents in India is considerably lower as compared to other countries as per studies from England (89%)(7); New Zealand (80%)(17); China (73%)(18); USA (65%)(19); Canada (63%)(10); and Turkey (42%)(20).…”

A systematic review of current status and challenges of vaccinating children against SARS-CoV-2

“…The COVID-19 vaccine is worrying for some parents who have not vaccinated their children, and this concern stems from three main sources: (1) the lack of severe symptoms of COVID-19 in children [28] , [29] , [30] ; (2) the adverse events after vaccination, such as fatigue, dizziness, injection pain and even myocarditis [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] ; (3) insufficient clinical data on the efficacy of each vaccine [37] . In fact, this hesitancy of parents is unnecessary, because more than 65% of the side effects caused by the COVID-19 vaccine in children is relieved or ceases within 1–3 days [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] . Furthermore, clinical data proves that vaccines authorized for children have significantly shown strong efficacy in preventing infection and reducing the risk of morbidity of COVID-19 in children [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] , [48] .…”