Parents' views on the acceptability of a COVID-19 vaccine for their children: A cross-sectional study in Abu Dhabi-United Arab Emirates. Issue 38 (9th September 2022) - AlKetbi, Latifa Mohammad Baynouna
Highlights: COVID-19 vaccine is highly accepted by Abu Dhabi parents. Children's COVID-19 vaccination acceptance is high among the Abu Dhabi school children's parents. Important determinants are the age of the children and influential information sources. Possible hesitancy factors such as parents' higher education need further study. Abstract: Background: The United Arab Emirates had approved the COVID-19 vaccine for children. Assessing parents' acceptance of the vaccine for their children will influence decision-making in the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. Method: Parents registered in the Abu Dhabi Department of Education (12, 000 families) were invited to complete an online questionnaire from 8th September 2021 to 17th October 2021. Out of the 12, 000 families, 2510 (21%) participants answered the survey. The questionnaire investigated the parents' attitudes and beliefs regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Results: The vaccination rate among this group of respondents was high, with 2255 (89.9%) having received two doses and 1002 (45.5%) having already received a booster dose. Acceptance of the respondents to vaccinate their children was high, (75.1%) said they would vaccinate their children, with 64.4% reporting that they would immediately vaccinate their children if the vaccine were made available. Determinants of COVID-19 child vaccination acceptance included the respondent's vaccination status—i.e., if the respondent is already vaccinated (OR 4.96 [2.89–8.53]) or has taken the third dose (OR 2.37 [1.4–4.01])—their children's age (OR 1.11 [1.30–1.18] for older children), and their trust in the following information sources: the government (OR 2.53 [1.61–3.98]), health care providers (OR 1.98 [1.2–3.24]), or social media (OR 2.17 [1.22–3.88]). Increased level of education had a negative impact on the acceptance of giving the vaccine to children (OR 0.63 [0.52–0.77]); fear of side effects OR 0.000164 (0.000039–0.001) was another determinant. The main factor that encouraged parents to give their children the vaccine was to protect their child's health as reported by 1537 (55.5%) participants. Conclusion: The Abu Dhabi community is highly accepting of the vaccine for their children. Future studies of how this vaccine acceptance can influence the pandemic are needed.