Parental Vaccine Literacy: Attitudes towards the COVID-19 Vaccines and Intention to Vaccinate Their Children Aged 5-11 Years against COVID-19 in Thailand.

BACKGROUND

High rates of population immunity are needed to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess parents' intention to have their children, aged 5-11 years, vaccinated against COVID-19 and its influencing factors in Thailand.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted before the nationwide COVID-19 vaccine rollout for children aged 5-11 years in Thailand. A sample of 542 parents with children in this age group was recruited online.

RESULTS

In total, 58.8% of parents intended to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. Logistic regression analysis revealed that influencing factors include child age, parents' education, interactive/critical vaccine literacy, attitudes that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for children, that the vaccine can reduce the severity of COVID-19 in children, that there were other ways to prevent children from contracting COVID-19 superior to vaccination, and that COVID-19 vaccination in children can be fatal. The main reasons for having an intention to vaccinate their children included to reduce the severity of symptoms if infected with COVID-19 and to protect them from contracting COVID-19 when they go to school.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides evidence regarding factors influencing parents' intention to vaccinate their children. The findings can be used to design future interventions to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake in children.