MONDAY, Oct. 23, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Parent/caregiver concerns about COVID-19 vaccines include infertility and general concerns about vaccines, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in Pediatrics.

Aubree Honcoop, from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, and colleagues examined factors affecting pediatric COVID-19 vaccine decision-making in Black, Spanish-speaking, and rural White parents/caregivers to inform the content design of a mobile application to improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake among children. Parents/caregivers of children aged 2 to 17 years from groups particularly affected by COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (rural-dwelling persons of any race/ethnicity, urban Black persons, and Spanish-speaking persons) were included based on self-reported vaccine hesitancy. The study was completed by 36 participants: four vaccine acceptors and four refusers in key informant interviews and 28 in focus groups.

The researchers found that participants from all focus groups reported that they would listen to their doctor for COVID-19 vaccine-related information. A common concern was infertility, as well as general vaccine-related concerns. The amount of information available to parents/caregivers, including scientific research, possible positive and negative long-term effects, and potential impacts of vaccination on preexisting medical conditions, informed vaccine decision-making.

“These results will inform interventions for addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and may also help guide pediatric providers in their discussion about the COVID-19 vaccination with patients and families,” the authors write.

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