scholarly journals Covid Vaccines for Children with Developmental Disabilities: Parent Survey of Willingness and Concerns

Author(s):  
Karen Bonuck ◽  
Suzannah Iadarola ◽  
Qi Gao ◽  
Joanne Siegel

Objective While 1-in-6 US children has a developmental disability (DD), and such children are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, little is known about their vaccination status. We surveyed US parents of children with DDs to ascertain willingness and concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Methods An online survey was distributed to national, statewide, and regional DD networks from June-September 2021. (Vaccines were authorized for adolescents in May 2021.) We report associations between vaccine willingness and concerns and: race/ethnicity, child age, in-person schooling, routine/flu vaccinations, and DD diagnoses. Willingness was categorized as Got /Will Get ASAP (high), Wait and See/Only if Required, or Definitely Not. Results 393 parents (51.2% white) responded. Willingness differed by age (p<.001). High willingness was reported for 75.3%, 48.9%, and 38.1% of children aged 12-17, 6-11 and 0-5 years-old, respectively. Willingness differed by Autism diagnosis (p<.001) and routine and flu vaccination status (p<.01). Predominant concerns included side effects (89%) and children with disabilities not being in trials (79%). Less common concerns were: COVID not serious enough in children to warrant vaccine (22%) and misinformation (e.g., microchips, 5G, DNA changes) (24%). Concerns about vaccine safety differed by age (p<.05) and were highest for young children. In age-stratified adjusted models, Autism was positively associated with high willingness for 6-11year-olds (OR= 2.66, 95% CI= 1.12-6.35). Conclusion Parents of children with DD are more willing for them to receive COVID-19 vaccines, compared to the general population. While few factors predicted willingness to vaccinate, addressing safety and developmental concerns regarding young children is warranted.

Author(s):  
Malia Skjefte ◽  
Michelle Ngirbabul ◽  
Oluwasefunmi Akeju ◽  
Daniel Escudero ◽  
Sonia Hernandez-Diaz ◽  
...  

AbstractWith the development of multiple effective vaccines, reducing the global morbidity and mortality of COVID-19 will depend on the distribution and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination. Estimates of global vaccine acceptance among pregnant women and mothers of young children are yet unknown. An understanding of the challenges and correlates to vaccine acceptance will aid the acceleration of vaccine administration within these populations. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among pregnant women and mothers of children younger than 18-years-old, as well as potential predictors, were assessed through an online survey, administered by Pregistry between October 28 and November 18, 2020. 17,871 total survey responses from 16 countries were obtained. Given a 90% COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, 52.0% of pregnant women (n = 2747/5282) and 73.4% of non-pregnant women (n = 9214/12,562) indicated an intention to receive the vaccine. 69.2% of women (n = 11,800/17,054), both pregnant and non-pregnant, indicated an intention to vaccinate their children. Vaccine acceptance was generally highest in India, the Philippines, and all sampled countries in Latin America; it was lowest in Russia, the United States and Australia. The strongest predictors of vaccine acceptance included confidence in vaccine safety or effectiveness, worrying about COVID-19, belief in the importance of vaccines to their own country, compliance to mask guidelines, trust of public health agencies/health science, as well as attitudes towards routine vaccines. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and its predictors among women vary globally. Vaccination campaigns for women and children should be specific for each country in order to attain the largest impact.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica M Burns ◽  
Fritz M Castillo ◽  
Rodney L Coldren ◽  
Trisha Prosser ◽  
Renee L Howell ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction Influenza is a globally occurring viral respiratory infection that can lead to hospitalizations and death. An influenza outbreak can interfere with combat readiness in a military setting, as the infection can incapacitate soldiers. Vaccination remains the most effective tool to prevent and mitigate seasonal influenza. Although influenza vaccinations for U.S. Army soldiers can be monitored through military health systems, those systems cannot capture DoD civilians and Army dependents who may not use military health services. This study aims to gauge flu vaccine uptake and perceptions in U.S. Army civilians and dependents. Materials and Methods An online survey was e-mailed to civilian and dependent enrollees of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The survey contained 24 questions pertaining to demographics, vaccine history, history of the flu, and beliefs toward vaccines. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regressions were performed to investigate the association between demographic, behavior, and belief factors with vaccine uptake. Free-text answers were coded and categorized by themes. Results Over 70% of respondents were vaccinated for the flu. There were differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated respondents regarding their perceptions of barriers to vaccination, benefits of the flu vaccine, severity of flu symptoms, and personal risk of getting ill with the flu. After controlling for confounders, flu vaccination in the previous season and healthcare worker status were associated with increased vaccine uptake, while perceived barriers to influenza vaccination were associated with decreased vaccine uptake. Conclusions Flu vaccine uptake may be increased by increasing access to vaccination, promoting vaccination and addressing concerns at the provider level, and engaging positively framed public messaging. Increasing flu vaccine uptake is of particular importance as the flu season approaches during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.


Author(s):  
Andrea Otero-Mayer ◽  
Ana González-Benito ◽  
Belén Gutiérrez-de-Rozas ◽  
Consuelo Vélaz-de-Medrano
Keyword(s):  

Author(s):  
Malaz Mohamed Elrafie Mustafa ◽  
Ebtehaj Saleh Albeshri ◽  
Mashael Khaled Althobati

Children's oral health is of paramount importance as it governs the oral health status of the upcoming generation. Their oral hygiene is a vital part of general childcare. This under-appraised issue is often neglected by young parents, which can result in poor children's oral health. Aim: To assess standard knowledge, attitude and behavior of Saudi parents pertaining to the oral health of their young children. Materials and Methods: a prospective cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2017. The questionnaire included a total of 16 questions which were divided into two parts; the first part asked about parents' general information such as the name, age, gender, educational level, occupation and total family income. The second part included questions related to knowledge, attitude and practices toward children on selected oral health issues. Results: 1038 Saudi parents responded to the online questionnaire (70% Females and 30% male). Majority Saudi parents recognized many preventive dental aspects like importance of early acquisition of tooth brushing, avoidance of caries-related diet and nocturnal on demand breast feeding. Seventy three percent were convinced that it is better to take their children to a specialized pediatric dentist rather than a general dental practitioner. However, it was revealed that there was limited knowledge and awareness of Saudi parents about the significance of the routine dental checkups, ideal timing of first dental visit and importance of topical fluoride. Hypothetical myths and social beliefs associated with dental treatment like endodontic treatment were common; creating barriers to early preventive and curative dental care of young Saudi children. Conclusion: Parents were found to have inadequate knowledge in regard to oral health of their young children. The present research points to a need for enhanced dental education of parents, particularly in planning for their children's first visit and effect of prolonged on-demand at night breast feeding on development of early childhood caries. Community based oral health programs are required in order to raise parents' awareness regarding their children's oral health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Colizzi ◽  
Elena Sironi ◽  
Federico Antonini ◽  
Marco Luigi Ciceri ◽  
Chiara Bovo ◽  
...  

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak could result in higher levels of psychological distress, especially among people suffering from pre-existing mental health conditions. Young individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are particularly at risk due to their vulnerability to unpredictable and complex changes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASD individuals, whether any pre-pandemic sociodemographic or clinical characteristics would predict a negative outcome, and to narratively characterize their needs. Parents and guardians of ASD individuals filled out an online survey consisting of 40 questions investigating socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of their children, impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on their wellbeing and needs to deal with the emergency. Data were available on 527 survey participants. The COVID-19 emergency resulted in a challenging period for 93.9% of families, increased difficulties in managing daily activities, especially free time (78.1%) and structured activities (75.7%), and, respectively, 35.5% and 41.5% of children presenting with more intense and more frequent behavior problems. Behavior problems predating the COVID-19 outbreak predicted a higher risk of more intense (odds ratio (OR) = 2.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.42–3.29) and more frequent (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.13–2.48) disruptive behavior. Even though ASD children were receiving different types of support, also requiring specialist (19.1%) or emergency (1.5%) interventions in a relatively low proportion of cases, a number of needs emerged, including receiving more healthcare support (47.4%), especially in-home support (29.9%), as well as interventions to tackle a potentially disruptive quarantine (16.8%). The COVID-19 outbreak has undoubtedly resulted in increased difficulties among ASD individuals.


2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 379-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Parr ◽  
Douglas Gosse

There is a perceived shortage of male teachers in education, particularly at the primary/junior (P/J) level where male teachers in Canada account for a dwindling minority. Included among the many factors inhibiting males from becoming P/J teachers are perceptions that males might be unduly vulnerable to false accusations of inappropriate conduct with pupils, frequently of a sexual nature. This paper highlights findings of research exploring the experiences of male P/J teachers in Ontario. Results of an online survey completed by 223 male P/J teachers are discussed; 28 of these teachers reported they had been suspected of having had inappropriate contact with pupils and wrote online comments outlining their experience. The findings are discussed in the context of what it means to be a male assuming a non-traditional role of working with young children in today’s milieu.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 662-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra L. Ratnapradipa ◽  
Ryan Norrenberns ◽  
J. Austin Turner ◽  
Allison Kunerth

Objective. To examine predictors of flu vaccination and vaccination intention among college freshmen during a nonpandemic influenza season using the health belief model (HBM). Participants. A total of 184 college freshmen at a single institution participated in a mixed-mode (paper or online) survey in October-November 2015. Method. Flu vaccination and intention to vaccinate were predicted using binomial logistic regression on HBM constructs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and availability), prior flu vaccination history, family and peer reference behaviors, and demographics. Results. Overall, 31.5% of participants received the seasonal flu vaccine by mid-November, and 25% intended to receive it. In full models, history of past flu vaccination (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 7.90; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.55-24.49) was significant for vaccination while availability (aOR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.32-3.01) and family intention (aOR = 250.59; 95% CI = 3.77 to >999) were positively associated with intent to vaccinate. Significant confounding by past behavior and family intentions existed for both outcomes. Conclusions. Past flu vaccination behavior and family member intentions to vaccinate were better predictors of annual flu vaccination behavior and intention than HBM constructs among college freshmen. College campuses may enhance flu vaccine coverage by highlighting benefits and availability to students and families.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Piltch-Loeb ◽  
Diana Silver ◽  
Yeerae Kim ◽  
Hope Norris ◽  
Elizabeth McNeill ◽  
...  

Polls report nearly one-third of the United States population is skeptical or opposed to getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of these polls, as well as the scientific research that has been conducted on vaccine hesitancy, was done prior to vaccine eligibility opening to all adults. Now that COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to vaccine intentions across the vaccine hesitancy spectrum. This study conducted an online survey using the Social Science Research Solution (SSRS) Opinion Panel web panelists, representative of U.S. adults age 18 and older who use the internet, with an oversample of rural-dwelling and minority populations between April 8 and April 22, 2021- as vaccine eligibility opened to the country. We examined the relationship between COVID-19 exposure and socio-demographics with vaccine intentions [eager-to-take, wait-and-see, undecided, refuse] among the unvaccinated using multinomial logistic regressions [ref: fully/partially vaccinated]. Results showed vaccine intentions varied by demographic characteristics and risk exposures during the period that eligibility for the vaccine was extended to all adults.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document