The knowledge level and attitude of the parents about COVID-19 vaccination in children: a single-center survey study

Abstract

Aim: The primary method of prevention for children involves vaccination. The generally accepted approach in the world is the vaccination of eligible children for COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019). In the field of COVID-19 vaccines, hesitation and vaccine denial are anticipated concurrently with the rise in the incidence of vaccine instability and rejection around the world. The aim of this study is to find out what parents think about the COVID-19 vaccination program for children and what factors may cause anti-vaccination. Material and Method: 208 parents with children aged 0-18 who applied to the University of Health and Sciences, Ankara Keçiören Training and Research Hospital’s pediatrics clinics between April-June 2021 were included in the study. A questionnaire consisting of 26 questions developed by public health experts for COVID-19, the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S), and the Short Form of COVID-19 Anxiety Scale were administered to the participants. Results: 58.2% of participants believed that vaccines could only partially protect against the virus, while 19.2% disagreed and 22.6% were unsure of their position on this. While 67.3% of individuals said they would be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, 36.1% said they would be willing to immunize their children (p< 0.001). Participants who refused to receive their own vaccinations did not consider vaccinating their children (p<0.001). With a rate of 76.5%, parents cited the possibility of vaccine side effects as their main objection to immunizing their children. Parents who have never been vaccinated or under- vaccinated their children according to the national vaccination program, did not intend to vaccinate their children with the COVID-19 vaccine at a higher rate. Parents who did not intend to vaccinate their children with the COVID-19 vaccine had significantly lower overall scores on the COVID-19 Phobia Scale, psychological sub-dimension, somatic sub-dimension, and social sub-dimension than parents who did (p<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of parents were hesitant to vaccinate their children. The vaccine side effects were the main objection to immunizing children. Therefore understanding the attitudes and perspectives of parents toward COVID-19 vaccines may shed light on the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination programs that will be implemented in the future.