Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (May 2022)
Parental Willingness to Vaccinate Their Children Against SARS-CoV-2 in Jordan: An Explanatory Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Jomana W Alsulaiman,1 Mai Mazin,1 Tariq N Al-Shatanawi,2 Khalid A Kheirallah,3 Mohammed Z Allouh4 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan; 2Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Balqa Applied University, Salt, Jordan; 3Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; 4Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Mohammed Z Allouh, Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates, Tel +971 3713 7551, Email [email protected]: Successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic is largely dependent on vaccine administration to epidemiologically influential groups, including children. Considering that pediatric population comprises a significant portion on the population in developing countries, and their risk of infection and spreading the disease has been underestimated, it is crucial to investigate parental willingness to administer SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to their children between 5 and 11 years old. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of parental willingness towards vaccinating their children (5– 12 years old) against COVID-19 in a developing country setting, Jordan.Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted between October and November 2021, utilized online Google Forms to collect data on parents’ background characteristics, willingness to vaccinate their children, SARS-CoV-2, infection and vaccine, risk perception, and factors affecting decision to vaccinate.Results: A total of 564 parents completed the questionnaire; 82.8% were mothers, 85.3% were 30 years of age or older, and 75.9% had bachelor’s degrees or higher. Only 25.4% of parents reported willingness to vaccinate their 5– 12 years old children against SARS-CoV-2. Lower parental age, higher income, and having health insurance coverage increased parental willingness. Among participants vaccinated against COVID-19, only 29.0% were willing to vaccinate their children. Healthcare providers’ trust and vaccine recommendations by pediatricians increased parental willingness. COVID-19 risk perception seems to have negative effects on parental willingness.Conclusion: A significant proportion of parents in Jordan indicated hesitancy towards administering COVID-19 vaccine for their children. Concerns about vaccine safety and trust in the healthcare system appear to be the most important predictors of parents’ hesitancy. Effective vaccine campaigns should focus on risk perception and communication and should consider parental socio-demographic characteristics.Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy, willingness, children, Jordan, risk perception
