Abstract
Objectives: We aimed to (1) assess parental hesitancy about category A (Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)) and B (non-EPI) vaccines, (2) assess parental willingness for COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, and (3) explore the association of vaccination hesitancy of parents and healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods: The study was performed in Wuxi, eastern China between 21 September 2020 and 17 October 2020. Parents of children aged <18 years and HCWs were recruited from the selected immunization clinics. Vaccine hesitancy was assessed using the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) vaccine hesitancy survey (VHS) by summing the total score for 10 items (maximum 50 points). Results: A total of 3009 parents and 86 HCWs were included in the analysis. The category A VHS scores were significantly higher than the category B VHS scores (p = 0.000). Overall, 59.3% and 52.4% of parents reported willingness to avail COVID-19 and influenza vaccination for their children, respectively; 51.2% of the HCWs wanted to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Parental category B VHS scores were associated with HCW category B VHS scores (r = 0.928, p = 0.008). Conclusions: In China, parents are more hesitant about category B vaccines than category A vaccines. More than 40% of parents showed hesitancy and a refusal to use COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
Highlights
This study found that parents were far more hesitant about category B vaccines than category A vaccines in China
More than 50% of parents expressed willingness for the COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations for their child(ren); more than 50% of healthcare workers (HCWs) expressed willingness for the COVID-19 vaccination
In China, parents are more confident in category A vaccines because of their trust in governmentmandated vaccines [13]
Summary
Vaccine hesitancy was named one of the top 10 issues threatening global health in. Vaccine hesitancy is defined by World Health Organization Strategic Advisory. Group of Experts (SAGE) as the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite the availability of vaccination services [2]. Children are important targets of routine vaccinations, and parental vaccine hesitancy results in a decrease in vaccine uptake among children. This has in turn led to the surge of many vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles [3].
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