Journal article 969 views 115 downloads
‘I don't want my son to be part of a giant experiment’: public attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines in children
Public Health, Volume: 205, Pages: 116 - 121
Swansea University Author:
Simon Williams
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.01.016
Abstract
Objectives: This qualitative study explored public attitudes to COVID-19 vaccines in children, including reasons for support or opposition to them.Study design: This was a qualitative study using online focus groups and interviews.Methods: Group and individual online interviews were conducted with a...
| Published in: | Public Health |
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| ISSN: | 0033-3506 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2022
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59992 |
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| Abstract: |
Objectives: This qualitative study explored public attitudes to COVID-19 vaccines in children, including reasons for support or opposition to them.Study design: This was a qualitative study using online focus groups and interviews.Methods: Group and individual online interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of 24 adults in the United Kingdom to explore their views on the issue of COVID-19 vaccination in children. Data were analysed using a framework approach.Results: COVID-19 vaccination in children was framed as a complex problem (a ‘minefield’). Six themes emerged to explain participants views: (1) uncertainty over whether children can catch, transmit or be severely harmed by COVID-19; (2) lower risk tolerance for unknown longer term effects of the vaccine in children; (3) association of the vaccine programme with government's handling of the pandemic; (4) local social norms as a driver of hesitancy; (5) vaccinating children as a way to protect vulnerable adults; and (6) children's vaccination as parental choice.Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination in children is perceived by members of the public as a complex issue, and many are torn or hesitant about the idea. Public health communications will need to combat this hesitancy if vaccine uptake for children is to be pursued as a public health policy. |
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| Keywords: |
COVID-19, Public attitudes, Qualitative, Vaccine hesitancy, Vaccine uptake |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Funders: |
This research was supported by the Manchester Centre for Health Psychology based at the University of Manchester and Swansea University's ‘Greatest Need Fund’. |
| Start Page: |
116 |
| End Page: |
121 |