Covid-19 vaccination intentions among Canadian parents of 9-12 year old children: results from the All Our Families longitudinal cohort

Hetherington, E.; Edwards, S.; MacDonal, S.; Racine, N.; Madigan, S.; McDonald, S.; Tough, S.

Background: Acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine is critical to achieving high levels of immunization. The objective of this study is to understand factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine intentions among parents and explore reasons underlying decision making. Methods: Participants from a longitudinal cohort were invited to participate in a COVID-19 impact survey in May-June 2020 (n=1321). Parents were asked about the impact of the pandemic and their intention to vaccinate their child against COVID-19 should a vaccine be approved. Past infant vaccination status was validated against public health records. Multinomial regression models were run to estimate associations between demographic factors, past vaccination status, and vaccine intention. Qualitative responses regarding factors impacting decision making were analyzed thematically. Results: Sixty percent of parents (n=798) intended to vaccinate their children, but 9% (n=113) said they did not intend to vaccinate and 31% (n=410) were unsure. Lower education and income were inversely associated with intention to vaccinate. Incomplete vaccination history was associated with intention not to vaccinate but not uncertainty. Qualitative responses revealed concerns over vaccine safety and efficacy, long term effects and a rushed vaccination process. Interpretation: Almost a third of parents remain unsure about vaccinating their children against COVID-19, even within a group with historically high uptake of infant vaccines. Given the many uncertainties about future COVID-19 vaccines, clear communication regarding safety will be critical to ensuring vaccine uptake.