Factors predicting caregivers' readiness for vaccination of 5-11 years old children against SARS-CoV-2 - Saudi Arabia, 2022

Authors

  • Ameinah Thamer Al-Rasheedi Department of Pediatrics, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1312-3651
  • Mohammed Ahmed Elmuttalut Department of Family and Community Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Raghad Hamad AL-Mithn Department of Pediatrics, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Ghaida Saleh AL-Harbi Department of Pediatrics, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Ghadah Saleh Al-Ghufaili Department of Pediatrics, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Yara Hamad Al-Mohimeed Department of Pediatrics, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Anhar Ali Al-Qutaymi Department of Pediatrics, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
  • Sarah Abdulrahman Al-Arfaj Department of Pediatrics, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17073

Keywords:

Vaccine, COVID-19, hesitancy, SARS-CoV-2, children, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: A significant proportion of parents are still reluctant to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19. This study aimed to determine what factors influence parents' decision to get COVID-19 vaccine for the children of age group 5-11 years.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the region Qassim of Saudi Arabia, by using a self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire to assess the predicting factors of caregivers’ readiness to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19.

Results: Two-thirds of the caregivers surveyed were unwilling to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19. The factors that influence the parents’ decision to get their young children (5-11 years old) vaccinated against COVID-19 were: having secondary school education (p = 0.019), family members infected with SARS-CoV-2 (p = 0.016), caregivers completed the three doses of vaccination (p = 0.003) and those who received additional flu vaccine (p = 0.014), and not experiencing the side effects of COVID-19 vaccine (p = 0.0001). Additionally, no history of COVID-19 vaccine adverse events in older 12-18 year old children (p = 0.011) and no chronic diseases in the 5-11 year old children (p = 0.001) were predictors.

Conclusions: Caregivers' preferences about the children’s vaccination were influenced by multiple factors, including educational level, having family members infected with SARS-CoV-2, caregivers completing three doses of COVID-19 vaccine, receiving additional flu vaccine with no or mild adverse events, and history of chronic diseases in the child. Understanding these factors can help determine the likelihood of the caregivers getting their child vaccinated.

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Published

2022-10-31

How to Cite

1.
Al-Rasheedi AT, Elmuttalut MA, AL-Mithn RH, AL-Harbi GS, Al-Ghufaili GS, Al-Mohimeed YH, Al-Qutaymi AA, Al-Arfaj SA (2022) Factors predicting caregivers’ readiness for vaccination of 5-11 years old children against SARS-CoV-2 - Saudi Arabia, 2022. J Infect Dev Ctries 16:1533–1541. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17073

Issue

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic