Parental compliance and reasons for COVID-19 Vaccination among American children

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000147
• Publication Date: 2023-04-12T17:26:04Z
• Authors: Neil K. R. Sehgal; Benjamin Rader; Autumn Gertz; Christina M. Astley; John S. Brownstein
• Keywords: Pandemic; Odds; Demographics; Vaccination policy; Cross-sectional study

COVID-19 vaccination rates among children have stalled, while new coronavirus strains continue to emerge. To improve child rates, policymakers must better understand parental preferences and reasons for their children. Cross-sectional surveys were administered online 30,174 US parents with at least one of vaccine eligible age (5–17 years) between January 1 May 9, 2022. Participants self-reported willingness vaccinate refusal, answered additional questions about demographics, pandemic related behavior, status. Willingness a was strongly associated status (multivariate odds ratio 97.9, 95% confidence interval 86.9–111.0). The majority fully vaccinated (86%) unvaccinated (84%) reported concordant child. Age education had differing relationships by status, higher positively parents. Among all unwilling children, the two most frequently possible side effects (47%) that vaccines are too (44%). Unvaccinated much more likely list lack trust in government (41% 21%, p < .001) scientists (34% 19%, as refusal. Cluster analysis identified three groups based on refusal vaccinate, distinct concerns may be obscured when analyzed aggregate. Factors inform targeted approaches increase vaccination.