RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Parents’ perspectives on SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations for children: a qualitative analysis
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E259
OP E266
DO 10.1503/cmaj.221401
VO 195
IS 7
A1 Wigle, Jannah
A1 Hodwitz, Kathryn
A1 Juando-Prats, Clara
A1 Allan, Kate
A1 Li, Xuedi
A1 Howard, Lisa
A1 Fallon, Barbara
A1 Birken, Catherine S.
A1 Maguire, Jonathon L.
A1 Parsons, Janet A.
YR 2023
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/195/7/E259.abstract
AB Background: Uptake of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine for children aged 5–11 years has been lower than anticipated in Canada. Although research has explored parental intentions toward SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for children, parental decisions regarding vaccinations have not been studied in-depth. We sought to explore reasons why parents chose to vaccinate or not vaccinate their children against SARS-CoV-2 to better understand their decisions.Methods: We conducted a qualitative study involving in-depth individual interviews with a purposive sample of parents in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada. We conducted interviews via telephone or video call from February to April 2022 and analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis.Results: We interviewed 20 parents. We found that parental attitudes toward SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations for their children represented a complex continuum of concern. We identified 4 cross-cutting themes: the newness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the evidence supporting their use; the perceived politicization of guidance for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination; the social pressure surrounding SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations; and the weighing of individual versus collective benefits of vaccination. Parents found making a decision about vaccinating their child challenging and expressed difficulty sourcing and evaluating evidence, determining the trustworthiness of guidance, and balancing their own conceptions of health care decisions with societal expectations and political messaging.Interpretation: Parents’ experiences making decisions regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for their children were complex, even for those who were supportive of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. These findings provide some explanation for the current patterns of uptake of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among children in Canada; health care providers and public health authorities can consider these insights when planning future vaccine rollouts.