Disparities in child and adolescent COVID-19 vaccination coverage and parental intent toward vaccinations for their children and adolescents

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Kimberly H Nguyen, Tufts University; Ariella Levisohn, Tufts University; Cheyenne McChesney, Tufts University; Lavanya Vasudevan, Emory University; Robert A Bednarczyk, Emory University; Laura Corlin, Tufts University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-12-12
• Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2023.2232818
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: ANNALS OF MEDICINE
• Volume: 55
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 2232818
• End Page: 2232818
• Grant/Funding Information: No funding was secured for this study. Laura Corlin was supported by Tufts University School of Medicine. Robert Bedanrczyk was supported by National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant number [R37 CA234119].
• Keywords: United States; AGE; children; parents; ATTITUDES; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; UNITED-STATES; adolescents; RECEIPT; Science & Technology; Medicine, General & Internal; booster vaccination; nationally representative; disparities; >; ADULTS; vaccine confidence; vaccine hesitancy; BOOSTER VACCINATION; General & Internal Medicine; COVID-19 vaccination; MODULE; primary series
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Engineering, Environmental; Engineering, Civil; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Introduction: Despite recommendations for COVID-19 primary series completion and booster doses for children and adolescents, coverage has been less than optimal, particularly in some subpopulations. This study explored disparities in childhood/adolescent COVID-19 vaccination, parental intent to vaccinate their children and adolescents, and reasons for non-vaccination in the US. Methods: Using the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey (HPS), we analyzed households with children aged <18 years using data collected from September 14 to November 14, 2022 (n = 44,929). Child and adolescent COVID-19 vaccination coverage (≥1 dose, completed primary series, and booster vaccination) and parental intentions toward vaccination were assessed by sociodemographic characteristics. Factors associated with child and adolescent vaccination coverage were examined using multivariable regression models. Reasons for non-vaccination were assessed overall, by the child’s age group and respondent’s age group. Results: Overall, approximately half (50.1%) of children aged < 18 years were vaccinated against COVID-19 (≥1 dose). Completed primary series vaccination was 44.2% among all children aged <18 years. By age group, completed primary series was 13.2% among children <5 years, 43.9% among children 5–11 years, and 63.3% among adolescents 12–17 years. Booster vaccination among those who completed the primary series was 39.1% among children 5–11 years and 55.3% among adolescents 12–17 years. Vaccination coverage differed by race/ethnicity, educational attainment, household income, region, parental COVID-19 vaccination status, prior COVID-19 diagnosis, child’s age group, and parental age group. Parental reluctance was highest for children aged <5 years (46.8%). Main reasons for non-vaccination among reluctant parents were concerns about side effects (53.3%), lack of trust in COVID-19 vaccines (48.7%), and the belief that children do not need a COVID-19 vaccine (38.8%). Conclusion: Disparities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage among children and adolescents continue to exist. Further efforts are needed to increase COVID-19 primary series and booster vaccination and parental confidence in vaccines.