Parental willingness to COVID-19 vaccination among 5-to 11-year-old children in Jordan

Objectives Although an emergency approval for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was given for 5- to 15-year-old children, there is a public hesitancy to give it for children. This study aimed to investigate parental willingness to COVID-19 vaccine among 5- to 11-year-old children. Methods A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to parents from Jordan through social media and at the paediatric clinics. Key findings Six hundred and sixty-two parents participated. The mean age was 42.3 +/- 2.9 years old and 67% of them were mothers. Around 60% of parents had 5- to 11-year-old children, 56% had children under 5 years, and 49.5% had 12- to 18-year-old children. About 89% of parents and 20% of their 12-18 years children had received COVID-19 vaccine. Only 37% of parents thought that COVID-19 vaccines are safe in children. Only 36/399 parents accepted the vaccine for their 5-11 years children and 232/339 rejected it. The acceptance number increased to 171 if the vaccine was a condition for school admission. Potential long-term unknown side effect was the most reported concern. Independent factors correlated with parental willingness to 5-11 years children vaccination were having a high income, having had children vaccinated to influenza vaccine, and trusting information from the government. Whereas concern of side effects was associated with vaccine rejection. Conclusion Vaccine acceptance for 5- to 11-year-old children is a major issue among parents. The current study could assist the policymakers in Jordan to undertake strategies to encourage children vaccination to confine the spread of the pandemic.