Parent/Guardian vaccine intentions
Understanding Parent/Guardian intentions to have their child(ren) receive a COVID-19 vaccine
Impact Canada, Impact & Innovation Unit, Privy Council Office
Summary
Data were collected between October 30 and November 15, 2021. This was just prior to Health Canada’s approval of COVID-19 vaccines for 5-11 year olds.
Key Insights
The study revealed several trends in vaccination intentions among Canadian parents and guardians. A variety of factors were uniquely associated with lower parental intentions to get their child(ren) vaccinated, including parents’/guardians’ own vaccination status (i.e., not vaccinated with at least one dose), younger child age, lower household income, indifference about COVID-19 infection, lower COVID-19 vaccine confidence, concerns of side-effects from routine childhood vaccinations, and children not receiving a seasonal flu vaccination. Top stated reasons for uncertainty or refusal of a COVID-19 vaccine for their child(ren) fell into two overarching categories (1) mistrust of vaccines & institutions and (2) accessibility concerns (e.g., transportation to appointments is difficult, no time off work, no childcare for other children).
Insights and recommendations generated will help inform outreach, communications and program development for continued vaccine roll out, aiming to further improve accessibility of childhood vaccination services and empower parents to perform quality risk assessments when making vaccination-related decisions for their children.