89 - Trust, Trauma, and Tipping the Scales on COVID-19 Vaccines

Friday, April 28, 2023

5:15 PM – 7:15 PM ET

Poster Number: 89
Publication Number: 89.149

Megan J. Gray, Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, United States; Safiyya Zaidi, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Houston, TX, United States

Presenting Author(s)

Sarah Lasater (she/her/hers)

Medical Student (MS2)
Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas, United States

Co-Author(s)

SZ

Safiyya Zaidi, BS

University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
Houston, Texas, United States
Megan J. Gray, MD, MPH (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Population Health
Dell Medical School
Austni, Texas, United States

Background: Six months after FDA authorization for the pediatric < 12 years COVID-19 vaccination, pediatric vaccination rates remain low. Children under five have a first dose vaccination rate of 11%, heightening the current viral “triple pandemic.” Parents are key decision-makers capable of changing these rates. Population-based perspectives and a health equity lens are essential to a renewed vaccine promotion strategy; ensuring the most vulnerable populations have access to information and care. Qualitative interview studies carried out at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) can accomplish this objective: pediatricians can foster trust and two-way communication and gain context for future discussions.

Objective: To understand motivations and barriers for parental COVID-19 vaccine decisions through qualitative interviews that serve as a foundation for further efforts to combat misinformation.

Design/Methods: 15 parent interviews were conducted at an FQHC in Austin, TX, in Fall 2021 to investigate themes in parental attitudes and beliefs towards COVID-19 vaccines for their children; over 90% of participants were Hispanic. Open-ended questions allowed for parents to freely elaborate on personal feelings towards the COVID-19 vaccine, compared to standard pediatric vaccines. Interview transcripts were coded by two research team members and also reviewed by a third for themes.

Results: Transcripts suggest families are generally accepting of childhood vaccination; desire for child protection is a key motivator. Concerns about unknown side effects and mistrust of governmental health agencies cause significant hesitancy. P</span>ersonal relationships, radio networks, and social media were listed as information sources. 53% of the families interviewed declined the vaccine for their child; but 50% of this group stated they were unsure and would likely vaccinate their children in the future.

Conclusion(s):

Qualitative interviews identify key targets for vaccine promotion strategy: it is critical to address valid parental concerns and foster trust in pediatrician recommendations. Pediatricians may have misconceptions about vaccine hesitancy that do not match patients’ true concerns. Parental trauma within the medical system was an unexpected theme from interviews that bears further exploration, as do methods to build trust with the healthcare system; this may be more relevant in a largely immigrant population. Pediatricians counseling families should have an understanding of ethnic perspectives towards the COVID-19 vaccine; proactive investigations play a pivotal role in ensuring parents remain heard.