Maternal level of awareness and predictors of willingness to vaccinate children against COVID 19; A multi-center study

Background: Several controversies surround mothers' willingness to vaccinate against the COVID-19 pandemic especially when mortality is not frequently reported in children. Objectives: This study aimed to ascertain the willingness of mothers of children attending two institutions in Southeast Nigeria to accept the COVID-19 vaccine and factors that may be associated with their choices. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among 577 mothers who presented with their children in two tertiary health institutions in southeast Nigeria. Results: Majority of the respondents (93.9%) were aware of the COVID-19 vaccine. Majority of the respondents, 89.4%, noted that children were not in high priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria. Only 6.9% of the respondents intend to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Also, a minor proportion of the respondents (4.9%) were willing to vaccinate their children with the COVID-19 vaccine. The odds of receiving the Covid-19 vaccine were four times greater in those who believed that they could be infected than in those who believed that they could not be infected (AOR = 4.0. 95% CI:1.8-8.7). The odds of receiving the Covid-19 vaccine were six times greater in those who were aware of someone that died from COVID-19 than in those who did not know anyone who died from COVID-19 (AOR = 5.7, 95% CI: 2.1-15.8). Conclusion: A high level of awareness but low acceptance level for COVID-19 vaccination for mothers and their children was noted. Socioeconomic class, maternal age, and level of education did not influence the willingness of the mother to receive COVID vaccination. Having a belief of possibility of infection with the COVID-19 as well as being aware of someone who died from the disease were important positive variables that could predict vaccine acceptance from this study.

Automated summary

The study in Southeast Nigeria found that while most mothers were aware of the COVID-19 vaccine, only a small proportion were willing to receive it for themselves or their children. Belief in the possibility of infection and knowing someone who died from the disease were significant factors predicting vaccine acceptance.