A pre-vaccine analysis using the Health Belief Model to explain parents' willingness to vaccinate (WTV) their children in the United States: implications for vaccination programs

Abstract

Background: This study uses the Health Belief Model (HBM) to explain parents' willingness to vaccinate (WTV) their children with COVID-19 vaccine in the United States (US). The analysis included determining if vaccination choice among parents statistically varied based on geography among the sample collected.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered on November 2020. Multiple regression analysis was completed, determining which HBM constructs to be most relevant to parents' WTV their children with COVID-19 vaccine. To determine 'hot' and 'cold' geographic spots for WTV, a hot spot analysis based on Getis-Ord Gi* statistics was executed.

Results: Primary data collection included a convenience sample of US parents. Approximately 66% of parents surveyed were 'likely/extremely likely' to vaccinate their children if the COVID-19 vaccine was provided free by the government. The results highlight HBM connections to WTV.

Conclusions: The relationship between parents' WTV their children with a COVID-19 vaccine and constructs within the theoretical framework of the HBM represents a necessary point in the development of efficacious COVID-19 vaccination programs among parents in the US. Interpreting differences in location and health beliefs toward vaccines merit in-depth investigation for local-, state-, and federal-level vaccination programs to be effective.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccination; Willingness-to-vaccinate (WTV); barriers; benefits; children; health belief model; parents.