Abstract
The aims of this study were to examine the proportion of caregivers who were hesitant to vaccinate their children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the factors related to caregiver intentions to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. In total, 161 caregivers of children with ADHD were recruited in this study. The caregivers completed an online questionnaire to provide data regarding their intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19, concerns about the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, unfavorable family attitudes toward vaccines, and children’s medication use for ADHD and comorbid psychopathology. The factors related to caregiver intentions to vaccinate their child were examined using linear regression analysis. The results indicated that 25.5% of caregivers were hesitant to vaccinate their children with ADHD, and 11.8% refused to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. The caregivers’ concerns about the safety of vaccines and children’s regular use of medication for ADHD were negatively associated with caregiver intentions to vaccinate, whereas the children’s comorbid conduct or oppositional defiant problems were positively associated with the caregiver intentions to vaccinate. An intervention that enhances caregiver intentions to vaccinate their children with ADHD against COVID-19 by addressing the related factors found in this study is warranted.
Highlights
We hypothesized that caregiver factors and child factors would be significantly related to caregiver intentions to vaccinate their children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) against COVID-19
In the univariate linear regression analysis, the caregivers’ concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness, unfavorable family attitudes toward vaccinating their children, and children’s regular use of medication for ADHD were negatively associated with the caregiver intentions to vaccinate, whereas comorbid conduct or oppositional defiant problems and worsened depression were positively associated with the caregiver intentions to vaccinate
Compared to the results of the study on adults, the present study demonstrated that caregiver concerns about their unfavorable family attitudes and their children regularly taking medication for ADHD treatment related to caregiver intentions to vaccinate their children with ADHD
Summary
Vaccination against COVID-2019 in Children and Adolescents. As of 16 July 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 188,655,968 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 4,067,517 deaths [1]. Vaccines are expected to stop the spread of COVID-19 [2]. Several vaccines are currently approved by the WHO for emergency use against COVID19 [3,4]. On the basis of all available evidence, the WHO recommends vaccination for adults aged ≥18 years [5]. Review studies have concluded that despite the lower infection rate in children compared to adults, children remain susceptible to COVID-19 [6,7]; those with comorbidities are especially susceptible [8].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
