Parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and vaccine uptake among children and adolescents in the US: Findings from a prospective national cohort

ObjectivesOur aim was to measure COVID-19 vaccine uptake among children aged 5-17 years old via parents participating in the CHASING COVID Cohort and identify sociodemographic factors associated with it. MethodsIn this longitudinal study, parents of school-aged children were asked about their own vaccination status and that of their children at three time points between June 2021-January 2022, along with reasons for vaccinating immediately or delaying vaccinations for their children. Multivariable log binomial models were used to identify correlates of vaccine uptake among children. ResultsOf the 1,583 children aged 5-17 years, 64.9% were vaccinated. Over 40% of parents of 5-11 year old children who intended to delay vaccinating their child in June 2021 had still not vaccinated them by January 2022, including 30% of the parents who were vaccinated. After adjusting for measured confounders, parents vaccination status was associated with higher likelihood of childrens vaccine uptake (age-specific adjusted odds ratios [aORs]: aOR16-17 3.7, 95% CI 2.3, 5.9, aOR12-15 3.7, 95% CI 2.6, 5.3; aOR5-11 10.6, 95% CI 5.4, 20.9). Parents education (aOR16-17 1.4, 95% CI 1.1, 1.8, aOR12-15 1.5, 95% CI 1.2, 1.9; aOR5-11 2.1, 95% CI 1.5, 2.9) and worry about others getting infected (aOR5-11 1.4, 95% CI 1.1, 1.6) were also associated with higher vaccine uptake among children. A higher proportion of parents of 5-11 year olds (vs. 12-17 year olds) had concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. ConclusionTo increase vaccination coverage among young children, vaccination campaigns should focus on both vaccinated and unvaccinated parents and messaging should be specific to the childs age.