Parents say most children won’t receive new COVID-19 vaccines: Poll.
Most Children Unlikely to Receive COVID-19 Vaccines, Survey Finds
According to a recent survey, less than 40 percent of parents are willing to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19. The survey, conducted by KFF from Sept. 6 to Sept. 13, revealed that only 13 percent of parents with children aged 12 to 17 or 6 months to 4 years said they would definitely vaccinate their kids. The numbers were slightly higher for parents of children aged 5 to 11, with 12 percent saying they would definitely vaccinate.
Surprisingly, a significant percentage of parents—ranging from 36 to 41 percent depending on the age of their children—stated that they definitely would not vaccinate their kids. Another quarter of respondents said they would probably not take their children for the new shots, while the remaining quarter said they probably would.
The survey, which included 1,296 American adults, revealed that 416 of them were parents. Participants were given a $15 check or a gift card worth $5 or $10. The margin of error for the entire group was plus/minus four percentage points.
Interestingly, previous polls conducted by KFF showed that most parents ensure their children receive recommended vaccines. However, when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines, the resistance is unique.
In fact, 90 percent of parents stated that they keep their children up-to-date on vaccines, which aligns with the findings of a July 2021 poll by KFF. However, 43 percent of parents believe that they should have the freedom to decide against vaccinating their children, even if it poses health risks to others. Among parents and non-parents, Democrats were more likely to oppose this freedom compared to independents and Republicans.
When seeking information on vaccines, respondents trusted their healthcare providers and child’s pediatricians the most, followed by pharmacists, the CDC, local public health departments, the FDA, health insurers, and their child’s school or daycare. Notably, the media and literature were not listed as options for information sources.
It is worth mentioning that Republicans were less likely to trust health officials and agencies, including the CDC.
“The poll shows that most of the nation still trusts the CDC and the FDA on vaccines—but there is a partisan gap, and most Republicans don’t trust the nation’s regulatory and scientific agencies responsible for vaccine approval and guidance,” said Drew Altman, KFF’s president and CEO.
More Adults Express Willingness to Get Vaccinated
A higher percentage of adults now indicate their intention to receive one of the new COVID-19 vaccines.
According to the survey, 23 percent of respondents, including 34 percent of those aged 65 and older, stated that they would definitely receive one of the new shots. Democrats were more likely to express willingness, with 42 percent stating they would definitely get vaccinated, compared to 21 percent of independents and 8 percent of Republicans. Additionally, those who had previously received a vaccine were more likely to consider getting vaccinated, while the majority of unvaccinated individuals expressed their reluctance.
Similar trends were observed in earlier surveys conducted by IPSOS KnowledgePanel and NORC AmeriSpeak Omnibus in August. These surveys, which were shared with the CDC, revealed that 25 percent of adults definitely planned to get vaccinated, while 17.6 percent probably would, 13.6 percent probably would not, 25.7 percent definitely would not, and the rest were unsure. The combined surveys covered 4,299 individuals.
The introduction of bivalent vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer in the fall of 2022 aimed to address waning effectiveness. However, only 20.5 percent of adults and 4.6 percent of children received these vaccines, according to the most recent CDC data available until May 10. Previous surveys conducted in June indicated that the demand for the new vaccines would primarily come from those who were already vaccinated.
Concerns about COVID-19 vaccines include worries about unknown side effects, known side effects such as heart inflammation, and a lack of trust in the government and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine inventor who advises the FDA, mentioned in a recent video that heart inflammation and related conditions may have long-lasting effects.
While some patients have recovered from inflammation over time, others continue to experience symptoms years later.
Which groups were identified as being more hesitant or unwilling to receive the vaccine?
Eive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the survey. In September, 71 percent of adults said they had already received at least one dose of the vaccine, while an additional 7 percent said they would definitely get vaccinated. This is an increase from earlier this year when 67 percent of adults stated that they had received the vaccine.
However, vaccine hesitancy persists among certain groups. The survey found that rural residents, Republicans, and adults without a college degree were more likely to be hesitant or unwilling to receive the vaccine. In addition, younger adults aged 18 to 29 were less likely to be vaccinated compared to older age groups.
The survey also highlighted the impact of misinformation on vaccine acceptance. Respondents who believed in COVID-19 conspiracy theories or who relied on social media for COVID-19 information were less likely to be vaccinated or intend to be vaccinated.
The findings of this survey have important implications for public health efforts to combat the pandemic. Vaccinating children is a crucial step in achieving herd immunity and minimizing the spread of the virus. Without widespread vaccination among children, the risk of transmission and the potential for new variants to emerge remain high.
It is essential for healthcare providers, pediatricians, and public health officials to address the concerns and hesitations expressed by parents regarding COVID-19 vaccination for their children. Clear and accurate information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines should be provided to parents, along with an understanding of the potential benefits for their children and the community as a whole.
In addition, addressing vaccine hesitancy among specific groups, such as rural residents and Republicans, requires tailored strategies that consider their unique concerns and perspectives. Building trust and promoting vaccine confidence through targeted communication campaigns and community engagement are crucial in overcoming vaccine hesitancy.
Furthermore, efforts should be made to combat misinformation and promote reliable sources of information. Healthcare providers and public health organizations should continue to actively engage with the public through various channels, including traditional media, social media, and community outreach programs.
As the COVID-19 vaccination campaign continues, it is important to monitor and address the evolving attitudes and beliefs around COVID-19 vaccines. By understanding and addressing the factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy, we can work towards increasing vaccination rates, protecting vulnerable populations, and ultimately bringing an end to the pandemic.
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