If only they listened to doctors and scientists, not quacks on the internet
By CANADIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
JOURNAL
A recent study aimed to understand parents’ views about vaccination to aid future initiatives.
New study explores complexity of decision-making.
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on February 21 has found that the decision for parents to vaccinate their children against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is complex and multifaceted.
The decision is influenced by a combination of factors, including
scientific evidence, political and social pressures, and personal beliefs about
the individual versus collective benefits of vaccination.
Researchers conducted a qualitative study
with in-depth interviews of 20 parents to understand their views about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, with a goal to support future
vaccination initiatives.
“Given the observed discrepancy between parental intention and decision to vaccinate their children against SARS-CoV-2, it is important to understand how and why parents make their decisions,” said Dr. Jonathon Maguire, a pediatrician at St. Michael’s Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto, and the University of Toronto.
“Understanding the factors that influence
parents’ decisions about SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for their children would help
improve public health policies and interventions as well as inform health care
professionals about parents’ perspectives and concerns.”
Few previous studies have explored how
parents make decisions to vaccinate, or not vaccinate, their children once
eligible for vaccination.
The decision was challenging for most parents
in the study. Parents’ considerations related to the following:
- The newness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and evidence supporting their use
- Perceived politicization of guidance for vaccination
- Social pressures around SARS-CoV-2 vaccination
- Weighing of individual versus collective benefits of vaccination
These findings have implications for
communicating information on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
“Future guidance should highlight both
individual and collective benefits of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for children;
however, health care providers should prioritize individualized discussions
with parents to help interpret evidence, consider their understanding of risks
and benefits, and provide tailored recommendations,” said Dr. Janet Parsons, a
research scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto,
and an associate professor at the University of Toronto.
Healthcare providers have a key role to play
in supporting parents in decision-making.
“It is important for health care providers to
understand that parents who seem hesitant to vaccinate their children may have
a variety of reasons for feeling this way and may be reticent to ask questions
to health care providers for fear of stigma,” said Dr. Parsons. The authors
recommend that these conversations be approached with empathy and openness.
Reference: “Parents’ perspectives on
SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations for children: a qualitative analysis” by Jannah Wigle,
Kathryn Hodwitz, Clara Juando-Prats, Kate Allan, Xuedi Li, Lisa Howard, Barbara
Fallon, Catherine S. Birken, Jonathon L. Maguire and Janet A. Parsons, 21
February 2023, Canadian Medical Association Journal.
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.221401
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health
Research