Vaccine Hesitancy in the Time of COVID-19: Attitudes and Intentions of Teens and Parents Regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine

To assess attitudes and intentions related to the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, we surveyed adolescents aged 13-18 years and the parents of 13-18-year-olds using national research panels on three occasions or waves: before the COVID-19 vaccine was available, after it was available for adults, and after it was available for ages >= 12 years. Data on experiences with COVID-19, the importance of adolescent vaccines, and intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed across time points. We found that parental concerns about vaccine safety significantly increased from Wave 1 to 2. Social media had a negative influence on parents' and adolescents' opinions about vaccine safety. Demographic variables were associated with vaccination rates reported in Wave 3, consistent with known inequities related to vaccine access. Parents (70%) were supportive of concomitant COVID-19 vaccination with other adolescent vaccines for teens. It is important to address variables associated with vaccine hesitancy to increase COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates in the US.

Automated summary

By surveying adolescents and their parents, we found that parental concerns about vaccine safety increased significantly before and after the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine. Social media negatively influenced opinions about vaccine safety. Demographic variables were associated with vaccination rates, highlighting inequalities in vaccine access. Most parents supported simultaneous COVID-19 vaccination with other vaccines. Addressing vaccine hesitancy is crucial for increasing COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates.