Parents' intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 at a high school, Thai Nguyen province, school year 2021 - 2022

Abstract

The objective was to describe some factors affectors with the intention to vaccinate children against COVID-19 at a high school, Thai Nguyen province, school year 2021 - 2022. A cross-sectional study with multi-stage sampling on 442 parents of students in grades 10, 11 and 12. As a result, 72.1% of parents intended to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Research results showed that subjective norm was the strongest factor (OR = 12.5 (95% CI: 4.1 - 37.5), followed by high educational level of parents (OR = 3.99 (95% CI: 1.19 - 13.3), and perceived barriers (OR = 2.85 (95%CI: 1.46 – 5.57)) and perceived benefits (OR = 2.56 (95%CI:1,14 - 5,74)) and of vaccination were factors associated with intention to vaccinate children against COVID-19. The research results suggest that there should be an appropriate communication strategy that combines directly (from important influencers) and indirectly through the mass media to help parents raise awareness and properly understand the benefits and barriers of COVID-19 vaccination, helping to increase the intention of parents to agree to have their children vaccinated.