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Baglivo F, De Angelis L, Magrì M, De Nicola I, De Vita E, Lopalco PL, Rizzo C, Fedele A. The impact of COVID-19 vaccination campaign on pediatric vaccine uptake based on parents' attitudes towards mandatory and recommended vaccination in Southern Italy. Vaccine 2024; 42:3615-3620. [PMID: 38704254 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.04.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study investigates the association between parental attitudes towards mandatory and recommended vaccines in the National Immunization Plan (NIP) of Italy and their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5-11 years. METHODS Using data from approximately 42,000 children in Southern Italy, parental attitudes towards previous vaccinations were examined. Mandatory and recommended vaccinations were considered for the analysis, with the first shot of each schedule being considered relevant, regardless of when it was administered or whether the recommended number of doses was administered. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze associations between the covariates of age, sex, adherence to mandatory vaccinations, number of recommended vaccinations, and COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS The COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rate was 50.7% in our sample. We revealed a strong association between parental attitudes towards previous vaccinations and the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Mandatory vaccinations under the NIP showed the highest acceptance rates, and among non-mandatory vaccines, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine had the highest acceptance rate, potentially due to its co-administration with the hexavalent vaccine. The study identified a trend of lower COVID-19 vaccine coverage in younger children. CONCLUSIONS The study underscores the importance of co-administration approaches and well-planned vaccination schedules in enhancing vaccine coverage. It suggests that integrating newer vaccines, like the COVID-19 vaccine, into established vaccination schedules could potentially increase acceptance and coverage. The findings highlight the urgency of addressing vaccine hesitancy, particularly in the pediatric population, to ensure high vaccination coverage and effective disease control. Further research is needed to explore the potential strategies to increase vaccine acceptance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Baglivo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Luigi De Angelis
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mariano Magrì
- Prevention Department Local Health Authority-Lecce, Lecce, Italy
| | - Ingrid De Nicola
- Prevention Department Local Health Authority-Lecce, Lecce, Italy
| | - Erica De Vita
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Rizzo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Fedele
- Prevention Department Local Health Authority-Lecce, Lecce, Italy
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Gaweł P, Łukianowski B, Kościelska-Kasprzak K, Bartoszek D, Krajewska M, Królak-Olejnik B. Colostrum Lactoferrin Following Active and Recovered SARS-CoV-2 Infections during Pregnancy. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1120. [PMID: 38791082 PMCID: PMC11118264 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf), which is particularly abundant in human breast milk during the early stages of lactation, provides protection against a variety of infections, including viral infections, and has demonstrated activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of this study was to measure the concentrations of Lf in the colostrum of mothers with active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections during delivery, in mothers with a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy, and in non-infected controls. In this cross-sectional study, colostrum samples from 41 lactating mothers with a confirmed history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (asymptomatic or symptomatic) (both active and past infections) were collected. Twenty-eight colostrum samples collected during the pre-pandemic period served as a control group. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to analyze the Lf concentrations. Concentrations of Lf in the colostrum samples were closely related to virus infection. Colostrum samples from mothers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections contained higher concentrations of lactoferrin compared with samples from mothers from the control group. The highest concentrations of Lf were found in the colostrum samples of mothers with active SARS-CoV-2 infection during delivery when compared with the post-infection and control samples. This observed increase in lactoferrin suggests that it may be an important protective factor for breastfed infants, a finding which was particularly relevant during the pandemic period and remains relevant whenever a breastfeeding mother is infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Gaweł
- Department of Neonatology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Błażej Łukianowski
- Department of Pathomorphology and Clinical Cytology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Kościelska-Kasprzak
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (D.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Dorota Bartoszek
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (D.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Magdalena Krajewska
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (D.B.); (M.K.)
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Park YW, Bragard E, Madhivanan P, Fisher CB. A Latent Profile Analysis of COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy among Economically Marginalized Hispanic Mothers of Children under Five Years of Age in the US. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024:10.1007/s40615-024-02012-1. [PMID: 38713370 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-024-02012-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Rates of COVID-19 and influenza vaccine coverage among Hispanic young children continue to be low in comparison to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. This study utilized a person-centered approach to understand COVID-19 and influenza vaccination hesitancy for young children under the age of five among 309 economically marginalized Hispanic mothers. Drawing on the cultural health belief model, in 2022, following FDA approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for young children, a latent profile analysis was conducted from which three profiles emerged. The Low Acculturation group (Profile 1), was notable for lower acculturation, moderate cultural medical mistrust, lower access to vaccines, and higher financial security. Compared to Profile 1, the two remaining profiles had higher acculturation and lower levels of financial security, but differed in that the High Acculturation group (Profile 2) had higher vaccine accessibility and the Moderate Acculturation group (Profile 3) had higher cultural medical mistrust. Relative to other profiles, Low Acculturation mothers were more likely to plan to vaccinate their child against current and seasonal COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, report that their child's health provider recommended the COVID-19 shot and reported lower COVID-19 and influenza vaccine mistrust. However, they also reported lower vaccine accessibility and moderate levels of cultural medical mistrust. The study highlights the importance of developing person-centered public health strategies that draw on Hispanic cultural values and consider diversity within lower income Hispanic populations to increase future pediatric COVID-19 and flu vaccination coverage among young Hispanic children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yea Won Park
- Department of Psychology. Dealy Hall, Fordham University, 441 E Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA
| | - Elise Bragard
- Health Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, 195 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Purnima Madhivanan
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, 1295 N. Martin Ave. Tucson, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Celia B Fisher
- Department of Psychology. Dealy Hall, Fordham University, 441 E Fordham Rd, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA.
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Jiwani U, Ali KQ, Khowaja S, Iqbal J, Aamir A, Ansari U, Habib MA, Soofi S, Ariff S. Exploring the long-term seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in infants born to women with clinical or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Pediatr Neonatol 2024; 65:293-297. [PMID: 38040574 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2023.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Infants are at a higher risk of severe illness with COVID-19 infection compared to older children. While COVID-19 vaccination is not recommended for young infants, they can acquire maternally-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies passively through the placenta and breastmilk. We described the persistence of infection-induced maternal antibodies in infant circulation at 9-12 months of age. METHODOLOGY This was a cross-sectional study nested within the INTERCOVID multinational cohort study. For each COVID positive pregnant woman, two unmatched consecutive COVID negative pregnant women were enrolled between April and September 2020. Women with a positive PCR test, radiographic signs consistent with COVID-19, or at least 2 predefined symptoms of COVID-19 were considered as COVID positive. For this nested cross-sectional study, all COVID positive and either one of the COVID negative participants recruited from the Aga Khan University, Pakistan were approached 9-12 months after delivery, and maternal and infant sera were collected for antibody detection. RESULTS Altogether, 83 mothers provided consent, of whom 32 (38.6 %) were COVID positive and 51 (61.4 %) were COVID negative during pregnancy. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were present in 13 (41 %) infants born to COVID positive and 19 (39 %) infants born to COVID negative mothers (p = 0.87). The presence of reactive antibodies in infants at follow-up was associated with maternal antibodies at follow-up (OR:9.50, 95 % CI:2.03-44.42; p = 0.004). COVID infection occurred in 3 (6 %) infants born to COVID negative mothers while no infant born to a COVID positive mother had a history of infection (p = 0.27). CONCLUSION The presence of reactive anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in infants at 9-12 months of age is associated with maternal seropositivity 9-12 months after delivery rather than maternal infection during pregnancy. Further studies are required to validate these findings and assess whether passive immunity in infants is protective against COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uswa Jiwani
- Center of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | - Khushboo Qaim Ali
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | - Saleema Khowaja
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | - Junaid Iqbal
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | - Almas Aamir
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | - Uzair Ansari
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | | | - Sajid Soofi
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Pakistan
| | - Shabina Ariff
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Pakistan.
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González-Salinas AI, Andrade EL, Abroms LC, Gómez K, Favetto C, Gómez VM, Collins KK. Latino Parents' Reactions to and Engagement With a Facebook Group-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Promotion Intervention: Mixed Methods Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e51331. [PMID: 38483457 PMCID: PMC10979334 DOI: 10.2196/51331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Misinformation in Spanish on social media platforms has contributed to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Latino parents. Brigada Digital de Salud was established to disseminate credible, science-based information about COVID-19 in Spanish on social media. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess participants' reactions to and engagement with Brigada Digital content that sought to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among US Latino parents and their children. METHODS We conducted a 5-week intervention in a private, moderator-led Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc) group with Spanish-speaking Latino parents of children aged ≤18 years (N=55). The intervention participants received 3 to 4 daily Brigada Digital posts and were encouraged to discuss the covered topics through comments and polls. To assess participants' exposure, reactions, and engagement, we used participants' responses to a web-based survey administered at 2 time points (baseline and after 5 weeks) and Facebook analytics to calculate the average number of participant views, reactions, and comments. Descriptive statistics were assessed for quantitative survey items, qualitative responses were thematically analyzed, and quotes were selected to illustrate the themes. RESULTS Overall, 101 posts were published. Most participants reported visiting the group 1 to 3 times (22/55, 40%) or 4 to 6 (18/55, 33%) times per week and viewing 1 to 2 (23/55, 42%) or 3 to 4 (16/55, 29%) posts per day. Facebook analytics validated this exposure, with 36 views per participant on average. The participants reacted positively to the intervention. Most participants found the content informative and trustworthy (49/55, 89%), easy to understand, and presented in an interesting manner. The participants thought that the moderators were well informed (51/55, 93%) and helpful (50/55, 91%) and praised them for being empathic and responsive. The participants viewed the group environment as welcoming and group members as friendly (45/55, 82%) and supportive (19/55, 35%). The 3 most useful topics for participants were the safety and efficacy of adult COVID-19 vaccines (29/55, 53%), understanding child risk levels (29/55, 53%), and the science behind COVID-19 (24/55, 44%). The preferred formats were educational posts that could be read (38/55, 69%) and videos, including expert (28/55, 51%) and instructional (26/55, 47%) interviews. Regarding engagement, most participants self-reported reacting to posts 1 to 2 (16/55, 29%) or 3 to 4 (15/55, 27%) times per week and commenting on posts 1 to 2 (16/55, 29%) or <1 (20/55, 36%) time per week. This engagement level was validated by analytics, with 10.6 reactions and 3 comments per participant, on average, during the 5 weeks. Participants recommended more opportunities for engagement, such as interacting with the moderators in real time. CONCLUSIONS With adequate intervention exposure and engagement and overall positive participant reactions, the findings highlight the promise of this digital approach for COVID-19 vaccine-related health promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kaitlyn Gómez
- California State University, Fullerton, CA, United States
| | - Carla Favetto
- George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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Zambrano LD, Newhams MM, Simeone RM, Fleming-Dutra KE, Halasa N, Wu M, Orzel-Lockwood AO, Kamidani S, Pannaraj PS, Chiotos K, Cameron MA, Maddux AB, Schuster JE, Crandall H, Kong M, Nofziger RA, Staat MA, Bhumbra SS, Irby K, Boom JA, Sahni LC, Hume JR, Gertz SJ, Maamari M, Bowens C, Levy ER, Bradford TT, Walker TC, Schwartz SP, Mack EH, Guzman-Cottrill JA, Hobbs CV, Zinter MS, Cvijanovich NZ, Bline KE, Hymes SR, Campbell AP, Randolph AG. Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Vaccine-Eligible US Children Under-5 Years Hospitalized for Acute COVID-19 in a National Network. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2024; 43:242-249. [PMID: 38145397 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000004225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES In June 2022, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination was recommended for young children. We examined clinical characteristics and factors associated with vaccination status among vaccine-eligible young children hospitalized for acute COVID-19. METHODS We enrolled inpatients 8 months to <5 years of age with acute community-acquired COVID-19 across 28 US pediatric hospitals from September 20, 2022 to May 31, 2023. We assessed demographic and clinical factors, including the highest level of respiratory support, and vaccination status defined as unvaccinated, incomplete, or complete primary series [at least 2 (Moderna) or 3 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA vaccine doses ≥14 days before hospitalization]. RESULTS Among 597 children, 174 (29.1%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and 75 (12.6%) had a life-threatening illness, including 51 (8.5%) requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Children with underlying respiratory and neurologic/neuromuscular conditions more frequently received higher respiratory support. Only 4.5% of children hospitalized for COVID-19 (n = 27) had completed their primary COVID-19 vaccination series and 7.0% (n = 42) of children initiated but did not complete their primary series. Among 528 unvaccinated children, nearly half (n = 251) were previously healthy, 3 of them required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for acute COVID-19 and 1 died. CONCLUSIONS Most young children hospitalized for acute COVID-19, including most children admitted to the intensive care unit and with life-threatening illness, had not initiated COVID-19 vaccination despite being eligible. Nearly half of these children had no underlying conditions. Of the small percentage of children who initiated a COVID-19 primary series, most had not completed it before hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura D Zambrano
- From the Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Margaret M Newhams
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Regina M Simeone
- From the Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Katherine E Fleming-Dutra
- From the Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Natasha Halasa
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Michael Wu
- From the Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amber O Orzel-Lockwood
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Satoshi Kamidani
- The Center for Childhood Infections and Vaccines of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Pia S Pannaraj
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kathleen Chiotos
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa A Cameron
- Division of Pediatric Hospital Medicine, UC San Diego-Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California
| | - Aline B Maddux
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jennifer E Schuster
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Hillary Crandall
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah and Primary Children's Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Michele Kong
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ryan A Nofziger
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
| | - Mary A Staat
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Samina S Bhumbra
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Katherine Irby
- Section of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Julie A Boom
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Immunization Project, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Leila C Sahni
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Immunization Project, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Janet R Hume
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Shira J Gertz
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care, Department of Pediatrics, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, New Jersey
| | - Mia Maamari
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Children's Medical Center Dallas, Texas
| | - Cindy Bowens
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Children's Medical Center Dallas, Texas
| | - Emily R Levy
- Divisions of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Tamara T Bradford
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Children's Hospital of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Tracie C Walker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Children's Hospital, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephanie P Schwartz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Children's Hospital, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Elizabeth H Mack
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Judith A Guzman-Cottrill
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Charlotte V Hobbs
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Children's of Mississippi, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Matt S Zinter
- Divisions of Critical Care Medicine and Allergy, Immunology, and Bone Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Natalie Z Cvijanovich
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, California
| | - Katherine E Bline
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus, Ohio
| | - Saul R Hymes
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Bernard and Millie Duker Children's Hospital, Albany Med Health System, Albany, New York
| | - Angela P Campbell
- From the Coronavirus and Other Respiratory Viruses Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Adrienne G Randolph
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Departments of Anaesthesia and Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Chatham-Stephens K, Carter RJ, Duggar C, Woodworth KR, Carnes CA, Bhatt A, Ottis C, Voegeli C, Stokley S, Vogt T. An overview of the COVID-19 pediatric vaccine program - The U.S. experience vaccinating children ages 6 months through 17 years. Vaccine 2024:S0264-410X(24)00166-X. [PMID: 38429152 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccination decreases risk for COVID-19 illness and severe disease in children, including multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and death. On December 13, 2020, CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccination for persons ages ≥16 years, with expansion on May 12, 2021, to adolescents ages 12-15 years; to children ages 5-11 years on November 2, 2021; and to children ages 6 months-4 years on June 18, 2022. Following each age-specific recommendation, the U.S. government collaborated with state and local governments, vaccine manufacturers, and numerous other public and private entities, to ensure rapid, broad, and equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution to strategic locations across the country to maximize access. However, vaccination coverage among children has been lower than among adults and lower among younger children than adolescents. As of May 10, 2023, COVID-19 primary series vaccination coverage was 61.8% among U.S. children ages 12-17 years, 32.9% among those ages 5-11 years, and 5.5% among those ages 6 months-4 years. This manuscript describes the planning and implementation of the U.S. COVID-19 pediatric vaccine program, including successes (e.g., the availability of pharmacy vaccination to extend access beyond more traditional pediatric vaccine providers) and challenges (e.g., multi-dose vaccine vials instead of single-dose vials, leading to concerns about wastage) to provide a historical record of the program and to help inform planning and implementation of future routine or pandemic-related pediatric vaccination campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Chatham-Stephens
- Division of Human Development and Disability, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Chamblee, GA 30341-3717, United States.
| | - Rosalind J Carter
- Office of the Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, United States
| | - Chris Duggar
- Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, United States
| | - Kate R Woodworth
- Division of Birth Defects and Infant Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Chamblee, GA 30341-3717, United States
| | - Catherine Amanda Carnes
- Office of the Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, United States
| | - Achal Bhatt
- Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, United States
| | - Christina Ottis
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, United States
| | - Chris Voegeli
- Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, United States
| | - Shannon Stokley
- Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, United States
| | - Tara Vogt
- Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, United States
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Willis DE, Purvis RS, Moore R, Li J, Selig JP, Imran T, Zimmerman S, McElfish PA. Social Processes and COVID-19 Vaccination of Children of Hesitant Mothers. J Community Health 2024:10.1007/s10900-024-01340-x. [PMID: 38402520 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-024-01340-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigate relationships between pediatric COVID-19 vaccination and social processes of healthcare provider recommendations and school encouragement to provide insights into social processes that may support pediatric COVID-19 vaccination among hesitant mothers. METHODS We analyzed survey data from a subsample (n = 509) of vaccine-hesitant mothers to child patients (ages 2 to 17) in regional clinics across Arkansas. Data were collected between September 16th and December 6th, 2022. Full information maximum likelihood multivariable logistic regression was conducted to evaluate associations with pediatric COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS Adjusted odds of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination were more than three times greater when a child's healthcare provider recommended vaccination compared to when they did not (aOR = 3.52; 95% CI[2.06, 6.01]). Adjusted odds of pediatric COVID-19 vaccination were 85% greater when a child's school encouraged parents to vaccinate compared to when the school did not (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI[1.13, 3.03]). CONCLUSIONS For pediatric COVID-19 vaccination, having a personal healthcare provider is not significantly different from having no personal healthcare provider if they do not recommend the child be vaccinated. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Clinical and public health interventions should consider social processes of healthcare provider recommendations and school encouragement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Don E Willis
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St, Springdale, AR, 72762, USA.
| | - Rachel S Purvis
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St, Springdale, AR, 72762, USA
| | - Ramey Moore
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St, Springdale, AR, 72762, USA
| | - Ji Li
- Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Springdale, AR, USA
| | - James P Selig
- Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, Springdale, AR, USA
| | - Tabasum Imran
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences West, Fort Smith, AR, USA
| | - Stacy Zimmerman
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Pearl A McElfish
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St, Springdale, AR, 72762, USA
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Moore R, Purvis RS, Willis DE, Li J, Langner J, Gurel-Headley M, Kraleti S, Curran GM, Macechko MD, McElfish PA. "Every Time It Comes Time for Another Shot, It's a Re-Evaluation": A Qualitative Study of Intent to Receive COVID-19 Boosters among Parents Who Were Hesitant Adopters of the COVID-19 Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:171. [PMID: 38400154 PMCID: PMC10892107 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccine coverage remains low for US children, especially among those living in rural areas and the Southern/Southeastern US. As of 12 September 2023, the CDC recommended bivalent booster doses for everyone 6 months and older. Emerging research has shown an individual may be vaccine hesitant and also choose to receive a vaccine for themselves or their child(ren); however, little is known regarding how hesitant adopters evaluate COVID-19 booster vaccinations. We used an exploratory qualitative descriptive study design and conducted individual interviews with COVID-19 vaccine-hesitant adopter parents (n = 20) to explore COVID-19 parental intentions to have children receive COVID-19 boosters. Three primary themes emerged during the analysis: risk, confidence, and intent, with risk assessments from COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine confidence often related to an individual parent's intent to vaccinate. We also found links among individuals with persistent concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine and low COVID-19 vaccine confidence with conditional and/or low/no intent and refusal to receive recommended boosters for children. Our findings suggest that healthcare providers and public health officials should continue making strong recommendations for vaccines, continue to address parental concerns, and provide strong evidence for vaccine safety and efficacy even among the vaccinated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramey Moore
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR 72762, USA; (R.M.); (R.S.P.); (D.E.W.)
| | - Rachel S. Purvis
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR 72762, USA; (R.M.); (R.S.P.); (D.E.W.)
| | - Don E. Willis
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR 72762, USA; (R.M.); (R.S.P.); (D.E.W.)
| | - Ji Li
- Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR 72762, USA
| | - Jonathan Langner
- Office of Community Health and Research, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR 72762, USA;
| | - Morgan Gurel-Headley
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.G.-H.); (S.K.)
- Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Shashank Kraleti
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (M.G.-H.); (S.K.)
| | - Geoffrey M. Curran
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, 4300 W. 7th St., North Little Rock, AR 72114, USA
| | - Michael D. Macechko
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA;
| | - Pearl A. McElfish
- College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 2708 S. 48th St., Springdale, AR 72762, USA; (R.M.); (R.S.P.); (D.E.W.)
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10
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Steletou E, Giannouchos T, Dimitriou G, Karatza A, Sinopidis X, Maltezou HC, Souliotis K, Gkentzi D. Parental concerns and vaccine hesitancy against COVID-19 vaccination for children in Greece: A cross-sectional survey. Vaccine 2024; 42:448-454. [PMID: 38185545 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Parental hesitancy against children's COVID-19 vaccination remains a challenge globally. Although many studies have explored parental hesitancy, less is known about parental intentions towards COVID-19 vaccination of 6-month to 4-year-old children who were the last age group that became eligible for vaccination and for older children throughout the Omicron predominance period. METHODS We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey from November to December 2022 in Greece. We aimed to explore parental COVID-19 vaccination intentions for their children, reasons against vaccination, and to estimate the association between parents' intentions and child and parental characteristics and parental attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS Of 431 parents, 243 (56.4 %) had not or did not intend to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Most parents were vaccinated against COVID-19 (64.7 % no booster; 14.2 % at least one booster). Among parents with children under the age of 5, 13.0 % intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, while 47.3 % of parents with children 5 years of age or older reported intention or had already completed vaccination. The most common reasons against COVID-19 vaccination were fear of side effects (32.9 %), perceived short length of clinical trials (29.2 %), and the child having previously contracted COVID-19 (12.0 %). The strongest factors associated with intention or already completed vaccination were parental own vaccination against COVID-19, using a pediatrician or a healthcare professional as the main source of vaccine-related information for their children, agreeing with their pediatrician regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and trusting official healthcare guidelines. Stratified analyses by the two children's age groups (<5 and 5 to 17) yielded similar estimates. Among parents who had not or did not intend to vaccinate their children, 11.9 % would do so if recommended by a pediatrician. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the need to incentivize healthcare professionals and pediatricians to inform parents about vaccines, clarify misconceptions and address concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Steletou
- Department of Pediatrics, Patras Medical School, Greece.
| | - T Giannouchos
- Department of Health Policy & Organization, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - G Dimitriou
- Department of Pediatrics, Patras Medical School, Greece
| | - A Karatza
- Department of Pediatrics, Patras Medical School, Greece
| | - X Sinopidis
- Department of Pediatrics, Patras Medical School, Greece
| | - H C Maltezou
- Directorate of Research, Studies and Documentation, National Public Health Organization, Athens, Greece
| | - K Souliotis
- Department of Social and Education Policy, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece; Health Policy Institute, Athens, Greece
| | - D Gkentzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Patras Medical School, Greece
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11
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Martínez-Valdez L, Richardson VL, Bautista-Márquez A, Camacho Franco MA, Cruz Cruz V, Hernández Ávila M. Three years of COVID-19 in children that attend the Mexican Social Security Institute's 1,350 child day-care centers, 2020-2023. Front Pediatr 2024; 11:1292629. [PMID: 38239590 PMCID: PMC10795536 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1292629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have suggested that children are less likely than adults to develop COVID-19; however, with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, hospitalization and death due to this cause have increased among the youngest ones. Methods Retrospective, descriptive analytical study of the COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths occurred in children under five years who attended in Child Day-Care Centers (Centros de Atención Infantil-CAIs) of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) from 20th July 2020 to 31st March 2023. Results were compared with Mexico's and the US's national-level data. Incidence, attack (children and workers) and mortality rates were estimated. The risks of getting sick, being hospitalized and dying due to COVID-19 were calculated by year. Results There were 4,369 COVID-19 cases among children from IMSS CAIs; 67 (1.5%) required hospitalization and only two deaths were reported (0.04%). Both at IMSS CAIs and at a national level in Mexico and the US, the highest incidences of COVID-19 among children under five years occurred during Omicron prevalence. The attack rate among workers (32.93%) was higher than children (4.99%). Hospitalization and mortality rates in the US decreased since the anti-COVID 19 vaccine was introduced in children older than six months, unlike the rates in Mexico, where the vaccine for this age group was not available. By the year 2020, the children that attended the IMSS CAIs were 77.3% less likely to be hospitalized; 80.9% in 2021, 93.2% in 2022, and 77.7% by March 2023, compared to same age children in Mexico. In 2021, the children that attended IMSS CAIs were 90.6% less likely to die due to COVID-19, and by March 2023, this likelihood was 34.3% lower than the rest of children in this age group in Mexico. Conclusions Children that attended IMSS CAIs had a smaller risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19. However, the high rates of hospitalization and death due to SARS-CoV-2 in children under five years in our country point to the need and urgency of vaccination against this virus in this age group, as well as of the adherence to strict detection and medical referral protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vesta L. Richardson
- Dirección de Prestaciones Económicas y Sociales del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico
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12
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McKinley CJ, Limbu Y. Promoter or barrier? Assessing how social media predicts Covid-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy: A systematic review of primary series and booster vaccine investigations. Soc Sci Med 2024; 340:116378. [PMID: 38042027 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Prior research indicates that social media is primarily a negative contributor to Covid-19 vaccine outcomes. OBJECTIVE The current systematic review of Covid-19 primary series and booster vaccine investigations provides a more nuanced and comprehensive assessment of this association by exploring a) how distinct social media judgments and actions predict different vaccine-related outcomes - perceptions and intentions/uptake, b) both primary series and booster findings, c) types of social media, and d) comparisons across different populations. METHOD We conducted a systematic review of published research examining the link between social media and COVID-19 vaccine outcomes - judgments, intentions, and uptake. Overall, we identified 113 published articles. RESULTS The findings reveal complex associations between distinct social media predictors and these outcomes. The most consistent negative relationships emerge within studies looking at 'social media as an information source,' 'trust', and 'general social media use/passive exposure' as predictors of less favorable vaccine judgments and intentions/uptake. Conversely, studies focused on 'information seeking' indicate more mixed results. Among the few booster investigations, there are more positive than negative associations between social media predictors and Covid-19 vaccine intentions. Across different social media platforms and sample populations, social media was a less robust/consistent negative predictor of COVID-19 judgments and intentions. CONCLUSIONS While social media can contribute to more negative COVID-19 vaccine judgments and motivations, the consistency of this relationship may vary across populations, the platforms users access, and the nature of exposure. Overall, social media campaigns promoting COVID-19 vaccines should employ distinct strategies to target those individuals that value social media as an information resource.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yam Limbu
- School of Business at Montclair State University, USA
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13
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Keene K, Balasubramanian A, Potter A, Cioffredi LA. Maternal worry of children contracting COVID-19 predicts vaccine uptake in young children in Vermont. Vaccine X 2024; 16:100442. [PMID: 38318233 PMCID: PMC10839441 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2024.100442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Young children, 6 months to 4 years of age, were the last population for whom the COVID-19 vaccines became available and remain the group with the lowest uptake. Scarce information exists on drivers of vaccine uptake in young children. The relationship between parental perceived risk of infection and child COVID-19 vaccination is unknown. Objective Examine the association between perceived risk of infection and early childhood vaccination. Methods In June 2020, perinatal women in Vermont were enrolled in a longitudinal survey study assessing life changes during the pandemic. Surveys included worry of infection, Parents Attitude about Childhood Vaccines (PACV), intention to vaccinate children with the COVID-19 vaccine, and masking behaviors. Once vaccines became available, surveys also included child vaccination status. A demographic-adjusted stepwise logistic regression was conducted to assess the relationship of worry of infection and vaccine hesitancy on child vaccination status. Results 85 women completed baseline and follow up surveys. Participants were highly adherent to adult COVID vaccines with 93 % at least partially vaccinated and only 3 % demonstrated general childhood vaccine hesitancy on the PACV. However, in this highly adherent population, only 61 % of young children are vaccinated. In univariate [OR = 7.35 95 % CI (2.70 to 20.02)] and demographic adjusted [OR = 6.03 95 % CI (1.30 to 27.90)] models, current worry about child infection was associated with higher odds of child vaccination. Previously established predictors, vaccine hesitancy [OR = 0.91 95 % CI (0.84 to 0.99)] and younger maternal age [OR = 1.33 95 % CI (1.07 to 1.65)] were again associated lower odds of child vaccination. Conclusion Among vaccine adherent parents, worry of infection was a strong predictor of vaccine uptake. Continued efforts to articulate the potential morbidity of COVID in young children, along with established methods to address general vaccine hesitancy may aid in COVID vaccine uptake in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Keene
- Vermont Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics, Burlington, VT, United States
| | | | - Alexandra Potter
- Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
- University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Leigh-Anne Cioffredi
- Vermont Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics, Burlington, VT, United States
- Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
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14
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Park C, Vagoyan Zabala P, Irene Trisnadi A. COVID-19 vaccine or booster hesitancy among children aged 6 month-5 years, 5-11 years, and 12-17 years in the United States: An analytic cross-sectional study. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102436. [PMID: 37822978 PMCID: PMC10562834 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increased accessibility of COVID-19 vaccine, many households have had concerns when vaccinating children, leading to vaccine hesitancy. This study examined the COVID-19 vaccine and booster hesitancy among children aged 6 months-5 years, 5-11 years, and 12-17 years in the United States. We analyzed data from Phase 3.8 (March 1, 2023 to May 8, 2023) of the Household Pulse Survey (HPS) collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. We conducted survey-weighted multiple logistic regression models in vaccine hesitancy among respondents with children from those three different age groups, controlling for various demographic factors such as COVID-19 vaccination status, COVID-19 positive test results, race/ethnicity, gender at birth, age, region, marital status, educational attainment, household income, health insurance, and children's school type. The percentage of respondents indicating hesitancy towards vaccinating their children (expressing uncertainty, probably not, or definitely not) decreased as their children's age increased. Specifically, the proportion was 57.4% for children aged 6 months-5 years, 43.3% for children aged 5-11 years, and 25.9% for children aged 12-17 years. Concerns about possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine were the most prevalent among respondents who expressed vaccine hesitancy, regardless of the level of hesitancy, while those with strong hesitancy showed higher proportions of not believing their children need a vaccine, lack of trust in COVID-19 vaccines and the government, and parents/guardians not vaccinating their children. This study provide insight into our current situation, aiming to build assurance among households regarding the efficacy and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines for children of all ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chulwoo Park
- Department of Public Health and Recreation, San José State University, San Jose, CA, United States
| | - Pyramida Vagoyan Zabala
- Department of Public Health and Recreation, San José State University, San Jose, CA, United States
| | - Airi Irene Trisnadi
- Department of Psychology, San José State University, San Jose, CA, United States
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15
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Lackner CL, Wang CH. Predictors of Intention to Vaccinate or Continue to Vaccinate Children Against SARS-CoV-2 During the Fifth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the USA. Psychol Rep 2023:332941231219644. [PMID: 38019902 DOI: 10.1177/00332941231219644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The Centre for Disease Control recommends vaccination of children against SARS-CoV-2 to reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease and reduce the likelihood of associated complications. Vaccination of children requires the consent of parents or guardians, and levels of consent may ebb and flow over the course of the pandemic. This exploratory study examines predictors of parental intentions to vaccinate their children and the speed with which they would have them vaccinated during the fifth wave of the pandemic when vaccines were just being approved for use in children using a convenience sample of 641 parents reporting on 962 children. Multi-level regression analyses demonstrated regional differences in likelihood, with those in the Northeast reporting higher likelihood than those in the West. Parents with a conservative belief system were less likely to want to have their children vaccinated. Parents were more likely to have their child vaccinated if the child had COVID-19-related health risks, their child had a more complete vaccination history, and COVID-19 was perceived to be a greater threat to oneself and one's family. Faster intended vaccination speed was associated with regional urbanicity, liberal belief systems, more complete vaccination histories, and parental COVID-19 vaccination history. Higher levels of parental anxiety and lower levels of perceived vaccine danger were associated with increased speed. The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic within one's county was marginally related to speed, but not likelihood. These results underscore the importance of regular assessment of parental intentions across the pandemic, for practitioners to probe parental anxiety levels when discussing vaccination, to explicitly address risk/benefit analyses when communicating with parents, and to target previously routine unvaccinated parents and those in more rural areas to increase vaccine uptake. Comparisons are made with Galanis et al.'s (2022) recent meta-analysis on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles H Wang
- Performance and Analytics, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Center, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Schagen CRV, Andrade EL, Chandarana S, Lu N, González A, Favetto C, Gomez V, Palacios C, Díaz-Ramírez M, Edberg MC. Assessing Changes in COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake and Intentions among the Brigada Digital Latino Social Media Audience: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3611896. [PMID: 38045354 PMCID: PMC10690320 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3611896/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND U.S. Latinos experienced disproportionate COVID-19 impacts in terms of morbidity and mortality. Vaccination against COVID-19 is an important strategy for mitigating health impacts, and yet, vaccine uptake was slower among U.S. Latino adults compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Vaccine hesitancy has been a significant barrier within Latino communities, and exposure to misinformation has been associated with negative attitudes toward vaccination. While some COVID-19 mitigation efforts have included community-based outreach, few studies have explored the impact of community-based digital messaging in Spanish to counter COVID-19 misinformation, build trust, and promote vaccination. METHODS To address this gap, we conducted a one-year repeated cross-sectional study to assess changes in COVID-19 vaccine uptake, intentions, and perceived norms, as well as barriers to accessing reliable information and levels of trust in COVID-19 information sources among Latino adults exposed to Brigada Digital de Salud social media content. This culturally-tailored content disseminated on Facebook, Instagram, and X platforms was amplified by community health workers and partners, and focused on COVID-19 risk and prevention, vaccine safety and efficacy, and correcting related misinformation. RESULTS Statistically significant increases in COVID-19 vaccination, intentions to vaccinate children, and vaccination subjective norms were observed from May 2022 (wave 1) to April 2023 (wave 2). Among perceived difficulties accessing information, respondents indicated the most difficulty in judging the reliability of COVID-19 information in the media; however, a statistically significant decrease in perceived difficulty was observed between waves. With regard to trust in COVID-19 information sources, levels of trust were highest for healthcare providers in both waves. From wave 1 to wave 2, there were statistically significant increases in trust in the FDA to ensure COVID-19 vaccine safety and trust in the federal government to ensure child COVID-19 vaccine safety. CONCLUSIONS Social media messaging by trusted community-based sources shows promise as a strategy for combating health misinformation and ameliorating information access gaps for language minority populations. This digital approach represents an important tool for deploying critical information to underserved populations in public health emergency and crisis contexts, and for supporting changes in attitudes, trust, and behaviors to improve health outcomes.
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