To the Editor:
Goldman et al showed a 15.8% increase in parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against influenza after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.1 Herein, we report results of an online survey disseminated to adults living in Kuwait between August 26 and September 1, 2020 (n = 2368; 1038 participants with children aged <18 years). The survey collected information on parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against influenza and COVID-19 once a vaccine is available, and the child's prior uptake of influenza vaccine. In total, 17.6% of parents (183/1038) reported that their children have received the influenza vaccine in the last influenza season. Such an uptake is substantially lower than influenza vaccine coverage of 63.8% among US children in the 2019-2020 season.2 Of the participating parents, 33% (342/1038) indicated that they definitely/probably will vaccinate their children against influenza in the coming influenza season (Figure, A) hence representing a 15.4% increase in comparison with uptake in the last season. Moreover, parents' intention to vaccinate their children against influenza in the coming season was higher among those who vaccinated their children in the last influenza season compared with those who did not (Figure, A). These observations are similar to those reported by Goldman et al.1
Figure.
Willingness of parents to vaccinate their children against influenza and COVID-19 in the total study sample and stratified according to whether the child did/did not receive influenza vaccine in the last influenza season. A, Parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against influenza in the coming influenza season. B, Parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once a vaccine is approved and available.
Moreover, 44.2% of the participating parents (459/1038) indicated that they will definitely/probably vaccinate their children against COVID-19 once a vaccine is approved and available (Figure, B). This estimate is lower than a previously reported estimate of 70%.3 Parents who vaccinated their children against influenza were more willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 (Figure, B). Overall, our results show a low willingness of parents to vaccinate their children against influenza and COVID-19, and prior influenza vaccine uptake is related to greater willingness. Public health strategies are needed to increase parents’ vaccine acceptance for their children.
References
- 1.Goldman R.D., McGregor S., Marneni S.R., Katsuta T., Griffiths M.A., Hall J.E., et al. Willingness to vaccinate children against influenza after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. J Pediatr. 2020;228:87–93.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.08.005. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [homepage on the Internet]. Flu vaccination coverage, United States, 2019–20 influenza season. Atlanta, GA. www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/coverage-1920estimates.htm
- 3.Dror A.A., Eisenbach N., Taiber S., Morozov N.G., Mizrachi M., Zigron A., et al. Vaccine hesitancy: the next challenge in the fight against COVID-19. Eur J Epidemiol. 2020;35:775–779. doi: 10.1007/s10654-020-00671-y. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]