Most Parents Intend to Vaccinate Children Against Respiratory Viruses This Winter

The journal Vaccines recently published the findings from a Texas A&M University survey that assessed parental intention to vaccinate children against respiratory viruses.

Published on November 17, 2023, these researchers found that about 40% of parents intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, 63% against influenza, and 71% against RSV.

Women showed lower intentions for COVID-19 and influenza. For COVID-19 and RSV, intentions were higher for those who thought vaccines were necessary.

Intention to vaccinate was consistently correlated with concerns about the disease, trust in health institutions, and previous vaccinations.

Moreover, the highlighted reasons for vaccine hesitancy include concerns about safety, necessity, and lack of information. 

Communications contact: Simon F. Haeder, Department of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843.