Parents' reasons to vaccinate their children aged 5-11 years against COVID-19 in Italy

ObjectivesThe aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate why parents decide to vaccinate, as well as the determinants, their children aged 5-11 years against COVID-19 in Italy. MethodsThe survey was conducted from January through May 2022. All parents/guardians who came in randomly selected days to immunization centers for the administration of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to their child were asked to complete a questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes toward COVID-19 infection and vaccination, reason(s) regarding their decision to vaccinate their child, and source(s) of information. ResultsA total of 358 questionnaires were collected. Parent's perception that COVID-19 is a severe illness for the child, assessed using a 10-point Likert scale, was 7.5. The overall mean scores of the risk perception for their child of having the COVID-19 before and after the vaccination were 8.1 and 6.3. A significantly higher parents' level of risk perception for their child of having the COVID-19 after the vaccination has been observed among those not having a university degree, those with the child having at least one chronic medical condition, and those who perceived that COVID-19 is a severe illness for the child. The mean value of respondent trust in the information provided by the pediatricians on a 10-point scale Likert type was 7.6. Female, not having a university degree, higher perception that COVID-19 is a severe disease, not having received information about the vaccination from pediatricians, and needing information had a significantly higher concern of side effects after the vaccination. The most common reasons for vaccinating their children included wanting to protect the child against COVID-19, to attend the school with less risk, to prevent the transmission to family members, and to practice sport and other activities with less risks. Participants with a university degree were more likely to have vaccinated their child for attending the school and practicing sport and other activities with less risks. ConclusionsMore publicity should be promoted among parents of children aged 5-11 years which would increase the coverage rates and thus lower the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the occurrence of COVID-19.

Automated summary

This study investigated the reasons and determinants for parents to vaccinate their children aged 5-11 against COVID-19 in Italy. The results revealed that parents perceived COVID-19 as a severe illness for their child, and the risk perception of their child contracting COVID-19 decreased after vaccination. Parental risk perception was associated with education level, the presence of chronic medical conditions in the child, and the severity of COVID-19. Parents showed a high level of trust in information provided by pediatricians. The most common reasons for vaccinating their children included protecting against COVID-19, reducing the risk for school attendance and activities. Parents with a university degree were more likely to vaccinate their child for school attendance and activities.