A pre-vaccine analysis using the Health Belief Model to explain parents’ willingness to vaccinate (WTV) their children in the United States: implications for vaccination programs

ABSTRACT

Background

This study uses the Health Belief Model (HBM) to explain parents’ willingness to vaccinate (WTV) their children with COVID-19 vaccine in the United States (US). The analysis included determining if vaccination choice among parents statistically varied based on geography among the sample collected.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was administered on November 2020. Multiple regression analysis was completed, determining which HBM constructs to be most relevant to parents’ WTV their children with COVID-19 vaccine. To determine ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ geographic spots for WTV, a hot spot analysis based on Getis-Ord Gi* statistics was executed.

Results

Primary data collection included a convenience sample of US parents. Approximately 66% of parents surveyed were ‘likely/extremely likely’ to vaccinate their children if the COVID-19 vaccine was provided free by the government. The results highlight HBM connections to WTV.

Conclusions

The relationship between parents’ WTV their children with a COVID-19 vaccine and constructs within the theoretical framework of the HBM represents a necessary point in the development of efficacious COVID-19 vaccination programs among parents in the US. Interpreting differences in location and health beliefs toward vaccines merit in-depth investigation for local-, state-, and federal-level vaccination programs to be effective.

KEYWORDS:

• Willingness-to-vaccinate (WTV)
• COVID-19 vaccination
• children
• parents
• health belief model
• benefits
• barriers

Authors’ contributions

Authors shared responsibilities in each area of development for this study. Both authors were involved in the conception, design, analysis, and interpretation of the data. Drafting and revising this intellectual content occurred among both authors, and the final approval of the version to be published occurred by D Reindl. All authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work and agreed for the final version of the manuscript to be published.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Data transparency

Availability of data and material.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Sea Islands Institute for their funding contribution to this study.