Parental acceptability of vaccinating young children against influenza and COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The struggle against influenza, and more recently against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), relies mostly on protective measures and vaccines. In France, COVID-19 vaccination campaigns include children over 5 years of age, whereas the influenza vaccine is reserved for children and infants older than 6 months with severe chronic disease. The final decision to vaccinate ultimately rests with the parents. This study aimed to explore the opinions of parents regarding COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, and which factors are likely to influence their decision in order to improve prevention approaches, and thus obtain better vaccination coverage among children.

Methods and survey: In this trans-sectional multicenter survey, self-administered questionnaires were sent to parents of children attending 14 childcare institutions over a period of 2 months, December 2021-February 2022. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: the first collected general, social and professional data, the second addressed perceived parental acceptability regarding influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations in healthy children, while the last section explored the main sources of information consulted by the parents regarding vaccinations. Subject's characteristics were described using number and percentages, as they are all categorical variables. Description of answers regarding both influenza and COVID-19 sources of information data were performed. Characteristics of patients answers were described and compared according to intention of vaccine groups.

Results: Among the 343 questionnaires collected, 41.7 % of respondents stated they were supportive of vaccination of their children against influenza and 37 % against COVID-19. Media (Internet, TV and radio) were the most cited sources of information. Incentive factors for both vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 were individual, and collective protection. Limiting factors were fear of side effect and Age of the child. Media was the sole source of information, concerning vaccination against influenza for 59 % non-graduates and 28 % of participants having a higher education level, and respectively 49 % and 19 % for vaccination against COVID-19. The acceptability rate was influenced by the level of education and the sources of information.

Discussion and conclusion: About 40 % of the parents were supportive of children's vaccinations against COVID-19 and influenza respectively (37 % and 42 %) in order to protect the vulnerable people around them. The media influences the decision to vaccinate especially when the level of education is low.

Keywords: COVID-19; Children; Influenza; Vaccination; Vaccine reluctancy.