The awareness and acceptance of anti-COVID 19 vaccination in adolescence

Abstract

Background COVID-19 had devastating effects on children’s and adolescents’ life, including neuropsychological impairment, discontinuation of social life and education. Since June 2021, antiCOVID19 vaccination has become available to adolescents in Italy up to 12 years and since December 2021 to children aged more than 5 years. The pediatric population represents a challenging target for vaccination. Aim of the study is to perform a survey among adolescents to explore factors associated with COVID 19 immunization and their perceptions about COVID-19 vaccines. Methods Italian students aged 10–17 years were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey regarding their immunization against COVID-19 and their opinion on the immunization practice through a web link to the questionnaire. The study period was March-June 2022. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v 21. Results In the study period, 895 students entered the survey. A total of 87.3% of respondents were immunized against SARS-CoV2. The most important predictors of being immunized against SARS-CoV2 were having both parents immunized (p < 0, 001) and being aged over 12 years. In the unvaccinated group, the decision was mostly influenced by the family (65.8%). Regardless the immunization status, respondents were willing to receive information about COVID 19 vaccination mostly by their family doctor (51.8%) and at school (28.9%). Conclusions Parents’ decisions and attitudes strongly affected the immunization status of adolescents. Students’ willing to receive COVID 19 vaccine information by family doctors and at school, underline the potential role of paediatricians and school educators in contributing to an increased vaccine coverage among the paediatric age.

Adolescents’ Opinions on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Hints toward Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness in the Future

“…The results of this pilot survey show that in Italy, about four months after the Italian government authorized the immunization campaign even for adolescents, a positive attitude toward vaccination can be found, versus only around 8% of the sample rejecting it. This is consistent with the data reported by the Italian government during the time of this study [ 47 ], and with the rates observed in previous studies [ 29 , 48 ]. In addition, it is also worth mentioning that vaccination for COVID-19 was not mandatory for this age group and that, at the time of the survey, individuals who wanted to get vaccinated possibly could not do it right away due to long waiting lists.…”

“…Research involving medium to large samples has not found an association with socio-demographic variables [ 22 , 29 , 48 ], or if it has, it is that being female has been positively associated with a higher likelihood of being hesitant about the vaccine, as in a study conducted on this matter in China [ 49 ]. More studies would be needed to explore any influence of gender differences, mostly investigated in adults [ 50 ], and education type, on the intention to get vaccinated.…”

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior toward COVID-19 Vaccination in Young Italians

“…There is evidence that parents’ decisions and attitudes are directly related to the immunization status of adolescents [ 26 ]. However, in the case of a minor who would get the vaccination but one or both parents do not agree, the orientation of jurisprudence is that a judge can temporarily “suspend” the ability of a parent opposed to the vaccine.…”

Usporedba stavova i znanja o cijepljenju protiv bolesti COVID-19 studenata Medicinskog fakulteta u Splitu i liječnika obiteljske medicine Splitsko-dalmatinske županije

“…Mogući je razlog takvim stavovima liječnika to što u svom svakodnevnom poslu svojim bolesnicima približavaju zdravstvene informacije, a studenti, iako vjerojatno imaju veće teorijsko znanje, nemaju dovoljno praktičnog kliničkog iskustva. 13,[15][16][17][18] Od ukupnog broja ispitivanih studenata i liječnika obiteljske medicine, 60% ih je bilo cijepljeno protiv bolesti COVID-19. Procijepljenost protiv bolesti COVID-19 među ispitanicima, bilo studentima, bilo liječnicima, koji su cijepljeni protiv gripe ove ili prethodnih sezona, bila je veća u odnosu na one koji se nikada nisu cijepili protiv gripe.…”