Respiratory Syncytial Vaccination: Parents' Willingness to Vaccinate Their Children.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to assess parents' willingness to vaccinate their children with the RSV vaccine and the key predictors of this intention among parents in Italy. METHODS: Data were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire from April to November 2023, targeting parents in public kindergartens and nursery schools in southern Italy. The survey assessed parents' socio-demographic characteristics, health-related details, their child's health status, attitudes toward RSV infection and its vaccine, and their source(s) of information. RESULTS: A total of 404 parents agreed to participate in the study. Only 18.2% of participants were very concerned that their children could get infected by RSV, and this concern was more likely among parents whose child had been diagnosed with bronchiolitis, those who received information from HCWs, those who had heard of RSV, and those who needed additional information. Almost half (51.3%) were willing to vaccinate their child, and this inclination was more likely among fathers, employed parents, those with daughters, those who had heard of RSV, those who received information from HCWs, and those who needed additional information. CONCLUSIONS: An educational campaign regarding a future RSV vaccine, especially about its safety and efficacy, is needed in order to improve parents' willingness.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Coverage of Recommended Vaccinations in Individuals with Chronic Medical Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Telephone Survey in Italy.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional survey investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and coverage of recommended vaccinations among a random sample of patients with chronic medical conditions, at higher risk of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), in Italy. METHODS: The survey was conducted via telephone-based interviews. RESULTS: Multinomial regression analysis showed that the patients who believed that VPDs were severe were more likely to know one recommended vaccination; those who believed that VPDs were severe and those who were advised from a general practitioner (GP) were more likely to know two vaccinations; those who were older, graduated, with more time from diagnosis, who believed that VPDs were severe, who did not need additional information, and who were advised from a GP were more likely to know three or four vaccinations. Patients who knew at least one vaccination, who perceived themselves at risk, and who were advised from a GP were more likely to have received one vaccination; those who knew more than one vaccination and who were advised from a GP were more likely to receive two or three vaccinations. Among the unvaccinated, patients who were unmarried/not cohabiting, those who needed information, and who believed that vaccinations were useful and safe were more willing to receive the recommended vaccinations. CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions are needed to improve the adherence of individuals with chronic medical conditions.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on behavioral changes in healthcare workers in Italy.

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to wearing face mask and washing hands procedures and achieving high COVID-19 vaccine coverage among healthcare workers (HCWs) were essential to minimize morbidity and possible death and limit the transmission of the virus. The objectives of the cross-sectional survey were to explore the influence of COVID-19 on the use of preventive measures and vaccination willingness among HCWs in the southern part of Italy and the associated factors. Methods: The survey was carried out from 15 June 2023 to 15 July 2023 among 521 HCWs who worked in three randomly selected public hospitals. All data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Results: HCWs had a positive change in the use of preventive measures if they did not often/always use them before the pandemic, but they are using in the current epidemiologic context and they were willing to use in a future epidemic situation. A positive change in the adherence to face mask-wearing (24.6%) was more likely among those with at least 5 years of university degree, nurses/midwives, and who had worked in COVID-19 wards. A positive change in alcohol-based hand rubbing (3.1%) was more likely in HCWs in Emergency/Critical/Infectious Diseases wards compared with medical wards. HCWs who were more likely to believe that the COVID-19 vaccine should be mandatory for them (58.1%) had at least 5 years of university degree, in Emergency/Critical/Infectious Diseases wards compared with surgical and medical wards, had received more than three doses of this vaccine, were more concerned to get infected during their activity, and had received information from scientific journals. HCWs more willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine every year (39.8%) were males, physicians, those in Emergency/Critical/Infectious Diseases wards compared with medical wards, who had received more than three doses of this vaccine, who believed that this vaccine should be mandatory for HCWs, and who needed additional information. Discussion: The survey showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the use of preventive measures among HCWs, not necessarily for the improvement or increase. Educational messages on the importance of these measures regarding the promotion and recommendation of the vaccine need to be investigated and applied among HCWs in order to reduce vaccination gaps and the spread of the infection.

Analysis of the COVID-19 vaccine willingness and hesitancy among parents of healthy children aged 6 months-4 years: a cross-sectional survey in Italy.

Introduction: In Italy, since December 2022, the COVID-19 vaccination has been extended to children aged 6 months-4 years with conditions of fragility and to those healthy at the request of the parent. The purposes of the cross-sectional survey were to determine the willingness and hesitancy of the parents/guardians to have their healthy children vaccinated against COVID-19. Methods: The survey was performed among 389 parents/guardians with a child aged 6 months-4 years randomly selected from seven kindergartens and eight nursery schools in the geographic area of Naples, Italy. Results: Only 10.5% were very concerned about the risk of infection, and the mean values regarding the perceived utility and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine were 3.3 and 3.2, respectively. Only 13.7% of participants were willing to consent to vaccinate the selected child against COVID-19, while 20.1% were uncertain and 66.2% did not intend. Parents/guardians of older children, those who received information about the COVID-19 vaccine from physicians or pediatricians, those who believed that the COVID-19 vaccine was useful, and those with lower hesitancy regarding the COVID-19 vaccine were more willing to vaccinate their child. The mean Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines (PACV-5) score was 5.6, with 33.1% of respondents who were identified as highly hesitant toward COVID-19 vaccination (score ≥ 7). Parents/guardians with a lower perceived safety of the COVID-19 vaccine were more likely to be highly hesitant. Discussion: The findings reveal the need to improve community-based education campaigns and effective promotion of the COVID-19 vaccination to increase willingness and address parental safety concerns.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Willingness towards a Future Vaccine among Pregnant Women in Italy.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional survey was designed to evaluate pregnant women's awareness regarding Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection and willingness to receive the vaccine during pregnancy and to vaccinate their newborn against RSV. METHODS: An anonymous survey was administered from 20 April to 30 June 2023, to pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years attending gynecology wards of randomly selected public hospitals in southern Italy. A minimum sample size of 427 participants was calculated. The survey assessed women's socio-demographic characteristics, health-related information, their source(s) of information, and attitudes regarding RSV. RESULTS: A total of 490 women participated. Those who were married/cohabiting, with a high-school degree compared to those who had a university degree, and those who needed additional information were more concerned that the newborn could acquire the RSV infection. The perceived utility of a future RSV vaccine administered during pregnancy was higher among those who were married/cohabiting, with a university degree, those with very good perceived health status, those who received information from healthcare workers, and those who needed additional information. Only 45.9% were willing to be vaccinated during pregnancy, and this was more likely among those with a university degree, with a very good perceived health status, who had received information from healthcare workers, and who needed more information. Finally, almost two-thirds (61.1%) were willing to vaccinate their newborn, and this was more likely among women with a university degree, with a very good perceived health status, and who needed additional information. CONCLUSIONS: An education campaign regarding RSV infection and its vaccine is needed in order to improve women's perception and to support healthcare workers in promoting it when it will be available.

Parents' Uptake and Willingness towards Recommended Vaccinations for Their Children with Underlying Chronic Medical Conditions in Italy.

This cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the willingness and uptake of recommended vaccinations against influenza, meningococcal B and ACWY, pneumococcal, rotavirus and the influencing factors among 565 parents of children aged 6 months to 5 years with chronic medical conditions in Italy. Only 34.9% of the sample received all vaccinations. Parents whose selected child was vaccinated against the five diseases were those who had received recommendations from physicians, who did not believe that children should get fewer vaccinations at the same time, those whose child was aged 2-3 and 4-5 years compared to 6 months-1 year, and those who acquired information from physicians. Only 17.9% were willing to vaccinate their child. Parents with a university degree, those who acquired information from physicians, and those whose child had a more recent diagnosis were more likely to be willing to vaccinate their child. Parents who believed that children should get fewer vaccines at the same time, those without a university degree, and those who did not acquire information from physicians were more likely to not have vaccinated their child because they were concerned about vaccines' side effects. Public health policymakers should provide efforts to promote the uptake for an adequate protection of this high-risk group.

Willingness and hesitancy of parents to vaccinate against COVID-19 their children ages 6 months to 4 years with frail conditions in Italy.

Background: In Italy, on December 2022, COVID-19 vaccination was recommended for children aged 6 months-4 years with frail conditions and for those healthy. The purposes of the survey were to understand parental willingness and hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination of children with frail conditions in Italy and related influencing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed among 445 parents with a child aged 6 months-4 years with frail conditions who attended a teaching hospital and a public hospital randomly selected in the city of Naples, Italy. Results: Almost one third (29.9%) were willing to vaccinate their frail children against COVID-19, whereas 21.3% were uncertain, and 48.8% did not intend to vaccinate. Parents with a higher level of perception that the vaccine is useful and safe and those who had received information by pediatrician were more likely to be willing to vaccinate their child. The mean Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines (PACV-5) score was 3.4, with 13.5% of parents high-hesitant for the COVID-19 vaccination for their child. Parents with a higher COVID-19 vaccine-related safety concerns, those who have delayed at least one shot of a recommended vaccine for their child, and those who did not have received at least three doses of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to be high-hesitant. Conclusion: The survey findings have important implications for designing interventions to increase willingness and to reduce hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccine among parents of frail children aged 6 months-4 years in Italy.

Investigating the Reasons for Receiving the Second Booster Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Adults and in People with Chronic Medical Conditions in Southern Italy.

This cross-sectional survey explored the attitudes and the reasons, as well their associated factors, for receiving the second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine among a sample of all old adults and of people with chronic medical conditions attending two randomly selected immunization centers in Naples (Italy). A total of 438 questionnaires were collected. The majority were male (55.1%) and the median age was 71 years. A higher perception of the vaccine's utility, measured with a 10-point Likert type scale, has been observed among males, individuals with a higher perception that COVID-19 is a severe illness, with a higher self-awareness of being at risk of infection, and with a higher trust in the information received. The most reported reasons for receiving the second booster dose included protection of themselves and of their family members from getting COVID-19, fear of acquiring the disease, and having a physician's recommendation. Younger participants, married/cohabitant, and with a higher perception that COVID-19 is a severe illness were more likely to have indicated protecting themselves and their family members as reason for receiving the booster dose. Respondents with a chronic medical condition, with a higher perception that COVID-19 is a severe illness, with a lower trust in the information received, and informed by physicians were more likely to have received the vaccine because they perceived of being at risk of getting a severe form of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Physicians should play a pivotal role in stressing the importance of the second booster dose and in helping individuals to make decisions.

Bivalent second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine: Eligible populations' reasons for receiving in Italy.

The Italian Ministry of Health recommended the administration of the bivalent second booster dose of the new available mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for subjects aged 60 y and over, aged 12 y and over with high frailty motivated by concomitant/preexisting conditions, and health-care workers. The purposes of this cross-sectional survey were to investigate the reasons for receiving the bivalent second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and associated influencing factors among the eligible population attending two immunization centers randomly selected in the city of Naples, Italy. A total of 535 subjects participated. Only 17.5% revealed high concern about the possibility of acquiring the COVID-19 disease. Those younger, those who had at least one chronic medical condition, and those who had a higher perceived seriousness of the COVID-19 disease were more likely to be very concerned. Having a higher belief of the vaccine's safety and usefulness were significant positive predictors of the respondents' belief of the efficacy of the bivalent second booster dose. The two most common reasons reported for receiving the bivalent second booster dose included the protection for themselves and for their cohabitants. Those younger and those who had a higher perception of the vaccine's usefulness in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to receive the bivalent second booster dose for the protection of their cohabitants. Health-care organizations and health-care professionals can use these findings in their efforts to design educational and communication interventions to accelerate the uptake of this vaccine for reducing the frequency of this disease.

Knowledge and attitudes of health care workers about monkeypox virus infection in Southern Italy.

Background: This present survey sought to investigate the level of knowledge and the attitudes pertaining the monkeypox (mpox) virus infection among a sample of health care workers (HCWs) in Italy, as well as the possible role of different factors on these outcomes. Methods: The cross-sectional survey was performed from July through October, 2022 at four randomly selected hospitals located in Southern Italy. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 421 HCWs, for an overall 59% response rate. Less than two-thirds were able to define the disease and the correct answer of the transmission mechanisms ranged from 22.8% for contact with contaminated objects to 75.8% through close contact with body fluids. Only 4% and 12.8% indicated HCWs and elderly/frail/people with underlying immune deficiencies as risk groups. The mean overall score of the knowledge assessment on mpox was 3.4 (0-9). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HCWs with a lower number of years of working experience and those who had acquired information about mpox from scientific journals were more likely to have a higher level of knowledge. The average score of the perception of the severity of the disease was 6.3. A similar score with a value of 6.1 has been observed for the statement that mpox is a serious problem for the population. Regarding the level of concern about contracting mpox, the mean score was 5.1. Only 10.5% reported that they feel that this disease can be prevented, with an overall mean score of 6.5. Almost all HCWs reported that they are still living as usual, with no modification of their behavior for fear of contracting the mpox. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model showed that women, HCWs with a higher level of knowledge about mpox, and those who needed additional information about mpox were more likely to have a higher level of perception of the severity of the disease. Conclusion: This survey has demonstrated that HCWs had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge toward mpox and only nearly half showed positive attitudes. Strategic health training programs should be made so that knowledge can be acquired.

Midwives' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant Women: A Nationwide Web-Based Survey in Italy.

This cross-sectional survey investigated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning the COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women among midwives in Italy and the associated factors. Midwives with at least five years of midwifery education and who had received information about the COVID-19 vaccination from official government organizations or scientific journals were more likely to know in which trimester this vaccine can be administered. A higher perceived utility of this vaccination was observed among midwives working in the public sector, in those concerned by being infected by SARS-CoV-2, who have received at least one dose of this vaccination, in those who considered COVID-19 a severe disease for pregnant women and their fetus, and who believed that the vaccination is safe. One-third of the midwives routinely provided information and half recommended this vaccination. Midwives with more years of activity, who received information about the vaccination from official government organizations or scientific journals, those who had never assisted patients with SARS-CoV-2, and those who believed in midwives' role in COVID-19 prevention were more likely to routinely provide information. Participants who perceived a higher utility of this vaccination, those who believed in midwives' role in COVID-19 prevention, those who received information from official government organizations or scientific journals were more likely to routinely provide a recommendation for the vaccine. Midwives' knowledge must be improved for ensuring that they communicate and recommend the vaccination to their patients.

COVID-19 Vaccination among a Population Experiencing Homelessness: A Survey in Italy.

The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about COVID-19 and its vaccination among 313 individuals experiencing homelessness in Italy and to identify the associated factors. A total of 20.5% identified the virus as a causative agent for COVID-19 and 44.2% identified how the SARS-CoV-2 infection wastransmitted. Those living in homeless shelters were more likely to have this knowledge. Concerns about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine werehigher in those who were younger, with secondary school as the highest level of education, who practiced Christianity, and who did not believe that COVID-19 was a severe disease. A total of 83.9% received the vaccination. Those who were older, who had correct knowledge, whoperceived to be at a higher risk of getting the disease, and who had a lower concern about the vaccine side effects were more likely to have received the vaccination. The primary reasons for accepting the COVID-19 vaccine were that it wasa preventive measure and that it wasmandatory; those unvaccinated indicated, as the main reasons, a fear of side effects and that it wasnot useful. A relationship and communication between healthcare professionals and this hard-to-reach population are needed, with the implementation of educational and information programs.

Willingness to accept a second COVID-19 vaccination booster dose among healthcare workers in Italy.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is evolving,the newly emerged Omicron variant being the dominant strain worldwide, and this has raised concerns about vaccine efficacy. The purposes of this survey were to examine the extent to which healthcare workers (HCWs) intend to receive a second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and the factors that influence their willingness to accept it. Methods: The study was conducted among HCWs who were randomly selected from four public hospitals in the Campania region, Southern Italy. Results: A total of 496 HCWs answered the questionnaire (a response rate of 61.2%). Among the respondents, 20.8% indicated a score of 10, using a 10-point Likert-type scale, regarding the usefulness of a second COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. Physicians, HCWs who believed that COVID-19 was a severe disease, and those who have acquired information about the second booster dose from scientific journals were more likely to have this positive attitude. Slightly more than half of HCWs self-reported willingness to receive a second booster dose. Respondents who believe that HCWs are at higher risk of being infected by SARS-CoV-2, those who have a higher belief that COVID-19 is a severe disease, and those who have a higher belief that a second booster dose is useful were more willing to receive a second booster dose. The main reasons for those who had a positive intention were to protect their family members and patients, whereas, the main reasons for not getting vaccinated or for uncertainty were that the dose does not offer protection against the emerging variants and the fear of its side effects. HCWs of younger age, physicians, those who have a higher belief that a second booster dose is useful, and those who were willing to receive a second booster dose were more likely to recommend the booster dose to their patients. Conclusion: This study's findings highlight the necessity for designing and implementing educational interventions for improving second booster dose uptake and beliefs among HCWs and their capacity to recommend the vaccine to the patients.

COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and willingness among pregnant women in Italy.

Background: Pregnant women, especially those with comorbidities, compared to those non-pregnant, have higher risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19. However, COVID-19 vaccine uptake is very low among them. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to randomly selected women 18 years of age that were currently pregnant or had just given birth between September 2021 and May 2022 in the geographic area of Naples. Vaccine hesitancy was assessed using the vaccine hesitancy scale (VHS). Results: A total of 385 women participated. Women who had not been infected by SARS-CoV-2 and who needed information about vaccination against COVID-19 had a higher perceived risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. More than half (54.3%) of the women were very afraid of the potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination on the fetus. There was higher concern of the side effects of the vaccine on the fetus among those who did not have a graduate degree, those with high-risk pregnancy, those who had not been infected by SARS-CoV-2, those who were more concerned that they could be infected by SARS-CoV-2, those who did not know that this vaccination was recommended for them, and those trusting mass media/internet/social networks for information. Only 21.3% were vaccinated when pregnant, mostly women with a university degree, those who had been infected by SARS-CoV-2 before pregnancy, those who did not need information, and those who acquired information about the vaccination from gynecologists. Almost three-quarters (71.9%) were willing to receive the vaccination and those more likely were those with a university degree, those who have had at least one relative/cohabitant partner/friend who had been infected by SARS-CoV-2, those who were more concerned that they could be infected by SARS-CoV-2, and those who were not extremely concerned of the side effects of the vaccine on the fetus. A total of 86.4% were highly hesitant. Highly hesitant were respondents who did not get a graduate degree, those less concerned that they could be infected by SARS-CoV-2, and those trusting mass media/internet/social networks for information. Conclusion: Public health efforts and education campaigns for pregnant women are needed for changing their perception patterns and for supporting gynecologists in promoting the uptake of this vaccination.

Parents' reasons to vaccinate their children aged 5-11 years against COVID-19 in Italy.

Objectives: The aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate why parents decide to vaccinate, as well as the determinants, their children aged 5-11 years against COVID-19 in Italy. Methods: The survey was conducted from January through May 2022. All parents/guardians who came in randomly selected days to immunization centers for the administration of the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to their child were asked to complete a questionnaire about socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes toward COVID-19 infection and vaccination, reason(s) regarding their decision to vaccinate their child, and source(s) of information. Results: A total of 358 questionnaires were collected. Parent's perception that COVID-19 is a severe illness for the child, assessed using a 10-point Likert scale, was 7.5. The overall mean scores of the risk perception for their child of having the COVID-19 before and after the vaccination were 8.1 and 6.3. A significantly higher parents' level of risk perception for their child of having the COVID-19 after the vaccination has been observed among those not having a university degree, those with the child having at least one chronic medical condition, and those who perceived that COVID-19 is a severe illness for the child. The mean value of respondent trust in the information provided by the pediatricians on a 10-point scale Likert type was 7.6. Female, not having a university degree, higher perception that COVID-19 is a severe disease, not having received information about the vaccination from pediatricians, and needing information had a significantly higher concern of side effects after the vaccination. The most common reasons for vaccinating their children included wanting to protect the child against COVID-19, to attend the school with less risk, to prevent the transmission to family members, and to practice sport and other activities with less risks. Participants with a university degree were more likely to have vaccinated their child for attending the school and practicing sport and other activities with less risks. Conclusions: More publicity should be promoted among parents of children aged 5-11 years which would increase the coverage rates and thus lower the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and reduce the occurrence of COVID-19.

Hesitancy towards Childhood Vaccinations among Parents of Children with Underlying Chronic Medical Conditions in Italy.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate vaccination hesitancy and behaviors among parents of children with chronic conditions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December 2021 in three public hospitals in southern Italy. Data were collected using a face-to-face interview of parents of children up to 17 years of age with at least one chronic condition. RESULTS: Of the 532 parents approached, 444 agreed to participate, with a response rate of 83.4%. Almost half of parents (43%) knew that children with chronic diseases are at greater risk of complications from VPDs, and 21.6% knew all the vaccinations available in Italy. Additionally, 55.9% felt that vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) are very dangerous for their children, and 28.7% were very worried about the side effects of vaccines. The result of the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccine (PACV) score indicated that 23.2% of parents were hesitant about vaccinations. Parental vaccine hesitancy was significantly more common among parents who had female children, among those who did not know the recommended vaccinations, among those who had a higher concern of potential side effects of the vaccines, among those who believed that the administration of the vaccinations was not useful, and among who received information on recommended vaccination from the internet, social and mass media. CONCLUSIONS: Important efforts by policy makers and healthcare providers must be implemented to counter vaccine hesitancy among parents.

Do Pediatricians and Nurses Recommend Vaccines for Preterm Infants? A Survey in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding vaccination in preterm infants among primary care pediatricians (PCPs) and health care workers (HCWs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected from PCPs through a confidential questionnaire distributed by email, whereas the research team distributed a self-administered anonymous questionnaire to all HCWs working in the selected NICUs. RESULTS: Overall, 64.1% of HCWs consider vaccines in preterm infants to be very safe. The majority of HCWs (69.8%) stated that they always recommend that preterm infants' parents vaccinate their children following the same schedule as for term infants. This behavior was significantly more likely among those who know that the vaccination schedule for preterm infants is the same as for term infants, who consider vaccines in preterm infants very effective, and who strongly agree that preterm infants should be vaccinated on the same schedule as term infants. Moreover, PCPs were more likely than NICU pediatricians to always recommend that preterm infants' parents vaccinate their children following the immunization schedule of term infants, whereas this behavior was significantly less frequent among NICU nurses. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for physicians and nurses in the NICU and in the community to counteract missed or delayed immunizations. Engagement of HCWs in healthcare quality improvement initiatives focused on the promotion of timely vaccinations in preterm infants should be encouraged.

Evaluating COVID-19 Vaccine Willingness and Hesitancy among Parents of Children Aged 5-11 Years with Chronic Conditions in Italy.

COVID-19 vaccination has been extended to include children aged 5-11 years. This cross-sectional survey evaluated parental COVID-19 vaccine willingness and hesitancy, and associated factors, for their children aged 5-11 years with chronic conditions. A telephone survey was conducted from 14 December 2021 to 4 January 2022. The questionnaire assessed participants' socio-demographic and health-related information, attitudes towards COVID-19 infection, hesitancy, by using the PACV-5 (Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines Survey Tool), and sources of information. A total of 430 answers were collected anonymously. Respondents with no cohabitant who had been infected by SARS-CoV-2 and having been vaccinated against COVID-19 had a higher concern about the severity of COVID-19. The parents' perceived risk that the child could be infected by SARS-CoV-2 was higher in those more concerned about the severity of COVID-19, with an older child, and who had at least one cohabitant positive for COVID-19. Only 38.8% parents were willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Parents who did not need additional information, those with higher education, those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, those whose child was older, who had received information on this vaccination from physicians, with higher self-reported concern about the severity of COVID-19, and who had a higher perceived risk that their child could be infected by SARS-CoV-2, expressed a greater willingness to vaccinate their child. Overall, 26.3% were high-hesitant, with a PACV-5 score ≥ 7. Respondents who did not get the COVID-19 vaccine, were less educated, with a lower concern about severity of COVID-19, and with a lower perceived risk that their child could be infected by SARS-CoV-2, were more likely to be high-hesitant. New policies and educational programs regarding COVID-19 vaccination for children with chronic conditions are needed to reduce hesitancy and increase vaccination uptake.

Intention to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose in a University Community in Italy.

This cross-sectional study, conducted in Naples (Italy) between 16 November and 6 December 2021, explored the willingness to receive the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine among a random sample selected from the list of those who had completed a primary vaccination series at the immunization center of a teaching hospital in Naples and the associated factors. Females had a significantly higher perceived risk of getting the SARS-CoV-2 infection, whereas those not-having a cohabitant were less worried. 85.7% were willing to receive the booster dose. Those older respondents who perceived a better health status after the primary vaccination series, who have friends/family members who were diagnosed with COVID-19, who had received information from official government organizations, and those who did not need information would be willing to get the booster dose. 24.7% was hesitant with a Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS) score ≥ 25. Respondents who self-rated a lower health status after the primary vaccination series, who did not have friends/family members who were diagnosed with COVID-19, who had not received information from official government organizations, and who needed information were hesitant. Information and communication regarding the benefits and efficacy of the booster dose are needed in order to control the pandemic.