Study Findings Reveal US Parents Hesitant to Vaccinate Young Children Against COVID-19

A study co-authored by Natoshia Askelson, senior research fellow in the Health Policy Research Program, "COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions, Concerns, and Facilitators Among US Parents of Children Ages 6 Months Through 4 Years," showed that only a minority of parents of children in this age group are eager to vaccinate their children. The study was published in JAMA Network Open on August 3, 2022.

The cross-sectional study utilized a weighted sample of 2,031 participants. Half of respondents indicated that they "definitely" or "probably" will vaccinate their child when they become eligible, however, only one-fifth indicated they would get a vaccine for their child within three months of becoming eligible at six months old. Additionally, parents of children in this age group showed widespread concern about vaccination, indicating that increased parental COVID-19 vaccination confidence may be needed to maximize vaccination for this age group in the U.S.