The introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine was associated with increasing rates of vaccine hesitancy for all vaccines, despite the overwhelming scientific evidence of benefit of routine childhood vaccination. What are the concerns that continue to prevent families from having their children vaccinated against COVID-19 and how has this vaccine affected parental attitudes regarding hesitancy to vaccinate their children to the well-established routine childhood vaccines? To answer these questions, we are early releasing two studies this month on vaccine hesitancy.
Honcoop et al (10.1542/peds.2023-062466) examined factors affecting the decision making of parents in groups with high rates of vaccine hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Using qualitative methods, Honcoop et al identify reasons for hesitancy including concerns about infertility, long-term effects, and potential worsening of pre-existing medical conditions. Participants did say they trusted their health care providers but not enough to vaccinate.
Higgins et al (10.1542/peds.2023-062927) looked at the role of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in parental attitudes regarding all routine childhood vaccines using a survey of birthing parents in Colorado from 2018 to 2021. The authors analyzed results pre-pandemic (4/18-2/20), pandemic pre-vaccine availability (4/20-12/20), and pandemic post-vaccine availability (1/21/-8/21). Overall, 20.4% of respondents were vaccine hesitant. When asked about reasons for vaccine hesitancy, parents noted decreased trust in vaccine information, with trust decreasing in the post-pandemic period.
What can we learn from both of these studies? To answer that question, we invited Drs. Melissa Gilkey and Noel Brewer, health behavior specialists from the University of North Carolina, to share their thoughts in an accompanying commentary (10.1542/peds.2023-063169). They point out that both studies looked at vaccine hesitancy at a regional level and that what is needed to really move the needle away from vaccine hesitancy is a national surveillance system for monitoring vaccine confidence and hesitancy, as previously recommended by the US National Vaccine Advisory Committee and the World Health Organization. Drs. Gilkey and Brewer provide us with four substantial reasons why having a national surveillance system for vaccine confidence and hesitancy would make an important difference in reducing hesitancy and building confidence. Give both these studies and commentary on vaccine hesitancy your best shot—and you will likely discover new strategies to make parents and caregivers of your patients less hesitant when it comes to their being up to date not just with the COVID-19 vaccine but with all recommended vaccines.
