Most parents are planning to vaccinate their children against influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but less than half will seek COVID-19 vaccines, according to a new survey – with more parents than ever opting out of vaccinations and updated COVID vaccines facing weak demand.
Key Facts
The study conducted a survey of 5,035 parents nationwide between September 27 and 28 regarding their intentions to vaccinate their children against the “triad surge” – a simultaneous spike in COVID, influenza, and RSV cases that has overwhelmed hospitals.
Key Vaccination Trends
Parents’ intentions to vaccinate their children include:
- 41% of parents intend to vaccinate their children against COVID.
- 63% of parents intend to vaccinate their children against influenza.
- 71% of parents intend to vaccinate their children against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Main Concerns About Vaccination
Some of the main concerns mentioned by parents who said they would not vaccinate their children include:
- Concerns about vaccine side effects.
- Effectiveness and safety of the vaccines.
- Hesitancy due to the child having already contracted the illness.
- Belief that their children do not need vaccinations.
Additional Information
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that approximately 8% of children in the United States have received the updated COVID vaccine, and about 42% of children have received the updated influenza vaccine.
No data on RSV vaccination rates in children have been provided so far, but a shortage of RSV vaccines for infants due to high demand and high out-of-pocket costs has made it difficult for children to receive vaccinations.
Childhood Vaccination Hesitancy
More parents than ever are opting out of vaccinations for measles, polio, tetanus, and other diseases, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There has been an increase in exemptions for school-age children in 40 states, with 3% of children entering kindergarten having exemptions for the 2022-2023 school year, the highest rate ever recorded in the United States. Approximately 90% of all exemptions were for non-medical reasons such as religion and philosophy, according to the CDC, although it did not specify any additional details. Idaho had the highest exemption rates for kindergarten in any state (12.1%), followed by Oregon (8.2%) and Utah (8.1%). KFF health policy research surveys found that about 30% of people in 2022 believed parents should be able to decide whether to vaccinate their school-age children, compared to 16% in 2019. Experts believe that the increase in vaccine exemptions among children is linked to skepticism about the updated COVID vaccines that were approved for use earlier this year – even though health agencies have found COVID vaccines to be safe and effective. UNICEF reported that public perception of the importance of childhood vaccines decreased in 52 out of 55 countries studied during the COVID pandemic.
Important Quote
“From a public health perspective, vaccine hesitancy has effects that extend beyond the individuals involved, even if they have been ill or even died from a preventable disease,” said Simon Heder, the study’s author and associate professor of health policy and management at the Texas A&M School of Public Health.
Big Numbers
22,513 – this is the number of COVID-related infections reported in the past week ending December 2, representing an estimated 18% increase from previous weeks, according to data from the CDC. Approximately 9,746 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were recorded – a decrease of about 350 cases from the week before Thanksgiving – and a 6.8% increase in influenza cases.
Read More
Additional
Childhood vaccine exemptions reach an all-time high – increasing the risk of outbreaks of polio, measles, tetanus, and other diseases (Forbes)
Here are the vaccination rates for COVID, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus ahead of the holidays – and why experts say you should get your shot soon (Forbes)
Updated COVID vaccines are expected to be released this fall: why some doctors suggest delaying your next vaccine until then (Forbes)
Shortage of respiratory syncytial virus antibodies for infants: here are the recommended alternatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Forbes)
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