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Reflections From School Communities in Underserved Populations on Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Pulgaron, ER; D'Agostino, EM; Johnson, SB; Ko, LK; Drain, PK; Duran, MC; Keener Mast, D; Kay, S; Layer, MA; Kenworthy, T; Dozier, A
Published in: Pediatrics
July 1, 2023

OBJECTIVES: Outbreaks in vaccine-preventable diseases among children have increased, primarily among under- or unvaccinated subgroups. The influence and interaction of a child's school community on parental health care decisions, such as vaccination, has not been explored. Our study examined childhood coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy within the context of school communities. METHODS: This study combines data from 4 independent research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Underserved Populations Return to School Initiative. We examined focus group data to better understand the apprehension surrounding parental and child COVID-19 vaccination among underserved school populations. RESULTS: Across all study sites, 7 main themes emerged with regard to COVID-19-related vaccination concerns for children: (1) potential side effects, (2) vaccine development, (3) misinformation (subthemes: content of vaccine and negative intent of the vaccine), (4) vaccine effectiveness, (5) timing of vaccine administration/availability for children, (6) fear of needles, and (7) mistrust. CONCLUSIONS: School settings offered unique access to youth and family perspectives in underserved communities. Our studies highlighted several factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in school communities, which align with existing literature on vaccine hesitancy. These concerns centered primarily on potential harm of vaccines, as well as misinformation, mistrust, and timing of vaccines. Related recommendations for increasing vaccination rates are provided. Developing specific strategies that address parent and child concerns will be critical to reducing health inequities related to COVID-19 vaccination.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Pediatrics

DOI

EISSN

1098-4275

Publication Date

July 1, 2023

Volume

152

Issue

Suppl 1

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vulnerable Populations
  • Vaccines
  • Vaccination
  • Pediatrics
  • Humans
  • Child
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19
  • Adolescent
  • Acceleration
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Pulgaron, E. R., D’Agostino, E. M., Johnson, S. B., Ko, L. K., Drain, P. K., Duran, M. C., … Dozier, A. (2023). Reflections From School Communities in Underserved Populations on Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination. Pediatrics, 152(Suppl 1). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-060352M
Pulgaron, Elizabeth R., Emily M. D’Agostino, Sara B. Johnson, Linda K. Ko, Paul K. Drain, Miriana C. Duran, Dana Keener Mast, et al. “Reflections From School Communities in Underserved Populations on Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination.Pediatrics 152, no. Suppl 1 (July 1, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-060352M.
Pulgaron ER, D’Agostino EM, Johnson SB, Ko LK, Drain PK, Duran MC, et al. Reflections From School Communities in Underserved Populations on Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination. Pediatrics. 2023 Jul 1;152(Suppl 1).
Pulgaron, Elizabeth R., et al. “Reflections From School Communities in Underserved Populations on Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination.Pediatrics, vol. 152, no. Suppl 1, July 2023. Pubmed, doi:10.1542/peds.2022-060352M.
Pulgaron ER, D’Agostino EM, Johnson SB, Ko LK, Drain PK, Duran MC, Keener Mast D, Kay S, Layer MA, Kenworthy T, Dozier A. Reflections From School Communities in Underserved Populations on Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination. Pediatrics. 2023 Jul 1;152(Suppl 1).

Published In

Pediatrics

DOI

EISSN

1098-4275

Publication Date

July 1, 2023

Volume

152

Issue

Suppl 1

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vulnerable Populations
  • Vaccines
  • Vaccination
  • Pediatrics
  • Humans
  • Child
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19
  • Adolescent
  • Acceleration