Two-Thirds of Parents Plan to Vaccinate Their Children Aged 5-11 Against COVID

happy babyartificial insemination kit for humans

A recent survey reveals a strong inclination among parents to vaccinate their children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19. With the vaccine for this age group expected to be available in the coming weeks, a collaboration between the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) surveyed over 1,000 parents. The findings indicate that approximately 66% of parents are eager to have their children vaccinated.

This statistic aligns closely with the vaccination rates among American adults, where roughly two-thirds are fully vaccinated. The survey also indicated a correlation between parents’ own vaccination status and their willingness to vaccinate their children.

Moreover, around 60% of parents indicated support for vaccine mandates in schools, expressing agreement with the idea that COVID vaccinations should be mandatory for student attendance. Dr. Emily Carter, a public health expert, noted that while these results are encouraging, they underscore the necessity for ongoing education about the advantages of vaccination.

Among the one-third of parents who are hesitant to vaccinate, concerns about potential side effects of the COVID vaccine were prevalent, closely followed by worries regarding long-term impacts. Nearly 45% of these parents expressed the belief that their children were healthy enough to not be significantly affected by COVID, while 40% indicated they would “wait and see” regarding vaccine outcomes in others, citing the rapid development of the vaccines as a reason for their caution.

“It’s essential to recognize the role of parents as advocates for their children’s well-being,” Dr. Carter explained. “If parents are anxious about vaccinations, it’s not due to a lack of care for their child’s health. As healthcare professionals, we must listen to their concerns and provide evidence-based information to help them make informed decisions.”

Overall, about 75% of parents expressed concern about their children contracting COVID, a sentiment stronger among those with younger children. The prospect of the vaccine becoming available shortly is likely a source of comfort for these parents.

The FDA has scheduled a meeting for October 26 to discuss the authorization of the vaccine for children aged 5-11, and if all goes smoothly, the White House is preparing for vaccinations to commence by the first week of November. For further information, feel free to check out this linked article.

Additionally, for those interested in at-home insemination methods, you might find useful insights at Make a Mom and UCSF’s IVF resource.