Willingness toward COVID-19 vaccination, coadministration with other vaccines and receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster: a cross-sectional study on the guardians of children in China.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the changes in the willingness of guardians to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to their children, allow the coadministration of other vaccines, and administer the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. This was a follow-up study conducted 6 months after a similar previous study. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed through the "Xiao Dou Miao" app and 9424 guardians with access to this app participated in the survey that was conducted from September 15 to October 8, 2021. Of all the participating guardians, 86.68% were willing to vaccinate their children with the COVID-19 vaccine, which was approximately 16% more than those in our previous study. Guardians aged ≥40 years, healthcare workers, and those with children aged ≥3 years were more willing to vaccinate their children. Approximately 77% of the guardians were willing toward the coadministration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. Approximately 64% of the guardians were willing toward the coadministration of other nonimmunization program vaccines with the COVID-19 vaccine for their children. The primary reasons for reluctance toward the coadministration of vaccines were concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. If necessary, 92% of the guardians were willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster and 82% were willing to vaccinate their children with a COVID-19 vaccine booster. We hope that this research will facilitate the formulation of successful strategies for the implementation of COVID-19 vaccinations, covaccinations, and COVID-19 booster doses, particularly for children aged <6 years.