Parent–Child Vaccination Concordance and Its Relationship to Child Age, Parent Age and Education, and Perceived Social Norms

Researchers established that parental vaccination status often predicts of their children, but a limited number studies have examined factors influencing dyadic concordance or discordance (i.e., same different intent for both members). We investigated how child versus parent age as well parents’ perceptions respective friends’ immunization behavior impacted un/vaccinated decisions regarding vaccinating child. An online survey obtained the COVID-19 and views 762 parents 5–17-year-old children. More than three-quarters all dyads were concordant; 24.1% vaccinated would not vaccinate child, with greater hesitancy younger children among less educated parents. Children who thought most child’s friends 4.7 1.9 times, respectively, more likely to be vaccinated; unvaccinated 3.2 times accept vaccine if they believed Further, reported themselves, illustrating influence social norms. Regardless own status, politically conservative. If communities circles could achieve convey norm, this might persuade undecided reluctant Future research should examine effects community messages highlighting norms on pediatric uptake.