Preparing for A COVID-19 Vaccine: A Mixed Methods Study of Vaccine Hesitant Parents

J Health Commun. 2020 Oct 2;25(10):831-837. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2021.1871986.

Abstract

This study investigated vaccine acceptance of putative COVID-19 vaccines among a national sample of vaccine hesitant parents. Vaccine hesitancy and politicization of vaccine development has led to a pronounced distrust of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. A total of 1,381 vaccine-hesitant parents participated in this study. Participants indicated a general unwillingness to vaccinate their children (M = 3.55, SD = 2.13) and themselves (M = 3.58, SD = 2.16) when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. More educated parents were more likely to plan to vaccinate themselves [F(5, 533) = 9.93, p < .05] and their children [F(5, 533) = 10.278, p < .05]. Understanding vaccine hesitant parents offers crucial insights as a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available for the general public and as we wait for a vaccine to be approved for pediatric use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Educational Status
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Middle Aged
  • Parents / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care* / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines