COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccination Attitudes Among Parents in Ohio

Carol Schaumleffel; Christy Vickers; Ilana Azulay Chertok

doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.07.002

COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccination Attitudes Among Parents in Ohio

J Pediatr Health Care. 2022 Nov-Dec;36(6):e1-e6. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.07.002. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

Authors

Carol Schaumleffel¹, Christy Vickers², Ilana Azulay Chertok³

Affiliations

¹ Carol Schaumleffel, Assistant Professor of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Athens, OH. Electronic address: schaumle@ohio.edu.
² Christy Vickers, Associate Professor of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Athens, OH.
³ Ilana Azulay Chertok, Professor, Associate Director of Nursing Research and Scholarship, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University, Athens, OH.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to examine factors associated with parental intention to vaccinate children against COVID-19 in Ohio following pediatric vaccine approval in October 2021.

Method: Online anonymous surveys were distributed between November 2021 and January 2022 to parents in Ohio.

Results: Surveys were completed by 581 parents of whom 43.5% reported they intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, whereas 56.5% did not intend to vaccinate their children. Perceiving a lack of support by health care providers was significantly associated with not intending to vaccinate children against COVID-19 (p < .001).

Discussion: Survey results from parents in Ohio indicate that perceived health care provider support and parents' attitudes about pediatric COVID-19 vaccination influenced their intent to vaccinate their children. Hence, health care providers working with families need to focus on educating parents regarding the importance and safety of vaccination.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccine; health care providers; pediatric vaccine; vaccination rate.