Parental plans to vaccinate children for COVID-19 in New York city

Once COVID-19 vaccines are approved for children < 12 years of age, high pediatric vaccination coverage will be needed to help minimize the public health threat from the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic. We conducted an online survey of 1,119 parents and caregivers of children < 12 years in New York City from March 9 to April 11, 2021. Among parents surveyed, 61.9% reported plans to vaccinate their youngest child for COVID-19, 14.8% said they do not plan to vaccinate their child and 23.3% were unsure. Female and non-Hispanic Black parents were least likely to report plans to vaccinate their children. Safety, effectiveness and perceptions that children do not need vaccination were the primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy/resistance. Parents who have or will vaccinate themselves were significantly more likely to report they would vaccinate their children. Efforts to increase awareness about vaccine safety and education about the importance of vaccinating children are needed. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study conducted an online survey of 1,119 parents and caregivers of children aged < 12 years in New York City, finding that a majority of parents planned to vaccinate their children for COVID-19, but a significant proportion expressed hesitancy or resistance. Female and non-Hispanic Black parents were least likely to plan for their children's vaccination, with safety, effectiveness, and perceptions of vaccine necessity as primary reasons for hesitancy. Parents who have or will vaccinate themselves were more likely to plan vaccination for their children as well, highlighting the importance of increasing awareness and education on vaccine safety.