Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Journal
Frontiers in Public Health
Abstract
Background: The United States Food and Drug Administration authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 years in October 2021 during the Omicron predominant period. Parental vaccine hesitancy was prevalent during this time, resulting in low childhood COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Most studies exploring factors influencing parental vaccine hesitancy have focused on racial and ethnic minorities and lower socioeconomic populations; however, there is little knowledge of the drive drivers of vaccine hesitancy among White parents with higher education and socioeconomic statuses.
Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with a sample of 15 White mothers of children ages 5-11 years in Atlanta, GA, between October-December 2021. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 12.
Results: Mothers were college-educated, homeowners, and fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Key findings included decreased pediatrician's recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, reliance on information from specialized doctors and scientists, distrust in public health authorities, high risk-perception of COVID-19 vaccines, and low risk-perception of COVID-19 disease. Factors related to vaccine acceptance were altruism and practicality.
Conclusion: This study adds to the sparse literature on reasons for vaccine hesitancy among White mothers of children ages 5-11 years with higher educational and socioeconomic status. Improving vaccine uptake among this group is critical for protecting the health of their children and other vulnerable populations. Tailored vaccine messaging and intervention are warranted to address their unique attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. An enhanced understanding of the factors influencing subpopulations of parents can help vaccine policymakers and healthcare providers improve efforts to reduce vaccine hesitancy, particularly for new vaccines.
Keywords
Humans, COVID-19 Vaccines, Mothers, Female, Qualitative Research, Child, Preschool, Child, COVID-19, Adult, Vaccination Hesitancy, SARS-CoV-2, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Georgia, Male, United States, Interviews as Topic, COVID-19, childhood vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine refusal, qualitative
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2024.1355452
PMID
39040866
PMCID
PMC11262113
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
7-8-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes