Parental intentions to vaccinate children against COVID-19: Findings from a US National Survey

We examined parents' COVID-19 vaccination intentions for their children, reasons for not vaccinating, and the potential impact of a school/daycare vaccination requirement or pediatrician's recommendation on vaccination intentions. Two online surveys were conducted in June-July and September-October 2021, before pediatric COVID-19 vaccines were authorized for emergency use in children age < 12 years, with an internet-based, non-probability sample of U.S. adults. Respondents with children (age < 18 years) in the household were asked about their intention (likelihood) of vaccinating these chil-dren against COVID-19. Weighted Chi-square tests using a Rao-Scott correction were performed. Vaccinated (45.7 %) versus unvaccinated (6.9 %) parents were almost seven times more likely to have vac-cinated their 12-17-year-old children against COVID-19. Approximately 58.4 % of respondents with unvaccinated children ages 2-11 years and 42.4 % of those with children < 2 years said they are very or extremely likely to vaccinate these children against COVID-19. Female parents were significantly more likely (p < .01 to p < .001) to express lower levels of COVID-19 vaccine intentions. Across all age groups of children unvaccinated against COVID-19, parental vaccine intentions increased with increased household income and education levels. COVID-19 vaccine side effects and safety concerns were primary reasons for not vaccinating children. Strategies including school vaccination requirements and recom-mendations from pediatricians were shown to increase parental COVID-19 vaccination intentions for some. More research is needed on factors that increase/hinder COVID-19 pediatric vaccine uptake.(c) 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

This study examined parents' COVID-19 vaccination intentions for their children, reasons for not vaccinating, and the potential impact of school/daycare vaccination requirements or pediatrician's recommendations. The findings showed that vaccinated parents were more likely to have vaccinated their 12-17-year-old children, and some parents expressed willingness to vaccinate children aged 2-11 years and <2 years. Female parents were more inclined to express lower levels of COVID-19 vaccine intentions. Parental vaccine intentions increased with increased household income and education levels. COVID-19 vaccine side effects and safety concerns were the main reasons for not vaccinating children. School vaccination requirements and pediatrician recommendations were shown to increase parental COVID-19 vaccination intentions for some parents, but further research is needed on factors that affect/hinder COVID-19 pediatric vaccine uptake.