Parental anxiety and pediatric vaccine refusal in a US national sample of parents

Abstract

ObjectivesUnderstanding vaccine hesitancy among parents is of emerging interest and of rising importance for promoting vaccine uptake to prevent pediatric illness. Here, we examine associations between pediatric vaccine refusal and parental symptoms of anxiety. MethodsOur cross-sectional survey assessed pediatric vaccine refusal in 1699 parents in a US national sample. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale, and symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7). ResultsThe prevalence of pediatric vaccine refusal was 15.5 %. Parent symptoms of anxiety were related to vaccine refusal (OR = 1.07 [1.03, 1.10]). Mild (1.88 [1.39, 2.54], p <.001) and clinically significant (2.14 [1.39, 3.31], p <.001) symptoms of anxiety were also related to pediatric vaccine refusal.Parental anxiety was also associated with perceived risks of vaccines and reduced confidence. ConclusionsFindings highlight the need to consider parental anxiety in the development of public health interventions that address substandard pediatric vaccine uptake.