Factors Predicting the Willingness of Parents to Have Their Children Vaccinated against COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Survey in Jordan

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 vaccination has proven to be effective in controlling the spread of the pandemic. However, many parents remain unwilling to have their children vaccinated. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the willingness on the part of Jordanian parents to have their children receive COVID-19 vaccines and to examine the predictors of this parental willingness. These predictors/variables include parents’ demographic variables, risk perception and trust in health authorities and healthcare professionals. Methods: In September 2020, an online survey was used to generate a sample made up of parents residing in every region of the country using a proportional cluster protocol. A selfreporting questionnaire was used to generate the data. Results: A total of 1,252 parents participated in this study. Analysis revealed that 25.5% of the parents were willing to have their children vaccinated and that 25%, approximately, trusted what the health authorities had to say about the pandemic. 31.4% trusted healthcare professionals for caring for COVID-19 infected people. Finally, the results of the study showed that parental risk perception, trust, gender and education were the significant predictors of the parents’ willingness to have their children vaccinated. Conclusion: Among Jordanian parents, the high prevalence of opposition to children vaccination may be explained by factors, such as risk perception of COVID-19, trust in health authorities and healthcare professionals and demographics. Implications for Nursing: Health-promotion initiatives are needed to provide parents with clear, accurate and transparent information about the possible risks of COVID-19 infection among children and the vaccine’s benefits for both children and communities. Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, Vaccination, Parents’ willingness, Children, Jordan