Attitudes of Parents Towards COVID-19 Vaccinations for Their Children: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Aim: Vaccine hesitancy has recently grown worldwide, caused by misinformation generally. This study aimed to determine parental intention to vaccinate children against the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and any factors associated with vaccination hesitancy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was conducted in a general pediatrics outpatient clinic. The parents of 12 to 18 years old children who were admitted to the clinic between June and December, 2021 (n=819) were included in this study. They were asked about their intention to vaccinate themselves and their children. The vaccination status against COVID-19, hesitancy or willingness to vaccinate their children, and factors affecting the parents' thoughts regarding COVID-19 vaccines were the measures of this study. Results: The vaccination rate of the parents was 70.3%, while parents' intention to have their children vaccinated was 69.0%. Most parents had awareness regarding COVID-19 vaccines (88.3%), and most parents (89.4%) stated that the vaccination was necessary for the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents who had a male child or younger child were inclined to be hesitant. The parents' beliefs about the necessity of vaccines, their awareness of COVID-19 vaccines, and their vaccination status against COVID-19 were identified as factors decreasing their hesitancy. Conclusion: Parents' attitudes and vaccination status play a key role in their children's vaccination. Providing reliable information to parents regarding COVID-19 vaccines should be considered a priority in order to increase childhood immunization.