Caregiver’s perceptions of COVID-19 vaccination, and intention to vaccinate their children against the disease: a questionnaire based qualitative study

COVID-19 vaccine side effects have an important role in hesitancy of general population towards vaccine administration. Another reason for vaccine hesitancy might be that health care professionals may not address their concerns regarding vaccines appropriately. Regardless, hesitancy in the form of delay, refusal, or acceptance with doubts about its usefulness can limit the downward trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we conducted a national cross-sectional study (n=306) to assess causes and concerns for vaccine hesitancy in caregivers in Pakistan towards getting their children vaccinated. The questions identified caregivers by socioeconomic demographics, perceived COVID-19 pandemic severity, and concerns towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Majority of the participants were 45-59 years of age (42.8%) with a mean age of 36.11 years (SD: 7.81). A total of 80% of these participants were willing to vaccinate their child with any COVID-19 vaccine. Present co-morbidities had a frequency of 28.4% (n=87/306) and only 26.9% (n=66/245) participants were willing to vaccinate their child. Participants with high social standing were 15.4% (n=47/306) with the majority of them being willing to vaccinate their children (45/47). Socioeconomic status (OR:2.911 [0.999-8.483]), and the child’s vaccinations being up to date (OR:1.904 [1.078–3.365]) were found independent factors for caregivers to be willing to vaccinate their child. Around 62% (n= 191/306) were not willing to vaccinate due to the concern for side effects, 67.6% (n=207/306) were not willing because they did not have ample information available, and 51% (n =156/306) were not willing as they were concerned about vaccine effectiveness. Further studies on vaccine safety in the pediatric population are required to improve caregivers’ perception.