Willingness to Vaccinate Children against Influenza after the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic - Goldman, R. D.; McGregor, S.; Marneni, S. R.; Katsuta, T.; Griffiths, M. A.; Hall, J. E.; Seiler, M.; Klein, E. J.; Cotanda, C. P.; Gelernter, R.; Hoeffe, J.; Davis, A. L.; et al. (J Pediatr, 2020)
OBJECTIVES: To determine factors associated with parents who plan to vaccinate their children against influenza next year, especially those who did not vaccinate against influenza last year using a global survey. STUDY DESIGN: A survey of caregivers accompanying their children aged 1-19 years old in 17 pediatric emergency departments in 6 countries at the peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Anonymous online survey included caregiver and child demographic information, vaccination history and future intentions, and concern about the child and caregiver having COVID-19 at the time of emergency department visit. RESULTS: Of 2422 surveys, 1314 (54.2%) caregivers stated they plan to vaccinate their child against influenza next year, an increase of 15.8% from the previous year. Of 1459 caregivers who did not vaccinate their children last year, 418 (28.6%) plan to do so next year. Factors predicting willingness to change and vaccinate included child's up-to-date vaccination status (aOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.29-3.32, P = .003); caregivers' influenza vaccine history (aOR 3.26, 95% CI 2.41-4.40, P < .010), and level of concern their child had COVID-19 (aOR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.17, P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in risk perception due to COVID-19, and previous vaccination, may serve to influence decision-making among caregivers regarding influenza vaccination in the coming season. To promote influenza vaccination among children, public health programs can leverage this information.
Keywords: journalArticle; *Vaccination; Adolescent; COVID-19/*epidemiology; Caregivers; Child; Child, Preschool; Decision Making; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Immunization Programs; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Influenza Vaccines/*therapeutic use; Influenza, Human/*prevention & control; International Cooperation; Male; Parents; Public Health; Risk; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; parental attitudes; vaccine hesitancy