Abstract
Objective
Decreased childhood vaccination can lead to local outbreaks of vaccine-preventable
disease. In a pilot study from our group, 72% of parents of newborns reported initiating
their vaccine decision-making for that child prior to conception. Since a sound understanding
of the timing of parental vaccine decision-making is needed to direct educational
efforts, we surveyed a national cohort of first-time parents to extend our preliminary
findings.
Methods
From March 2019 to March 2020, first-time parents of newborns in mother-baby units
of the Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns (BORN) network completed the
Vaccine Preference Development Survey (VPDS). The VPDS measures intent to vaccinate,
timing of vaccine decision-making, and sources of influence. Univariate and multivariate
analyses explored associations between intent to vaccinate and timing of vaccine decision-making
with demographic variables.
Results
Twenty-three sites provided surveys through site-specific nonrandom systemic sampling;
91% (1393/1524) of surveys were used in the analysis. Most parents planned to fully
vaccinate (1191/1380, 86.3%) and started vaccine decision-making prior to conception
(850/1378, 61.7%). Maternal age, race and ethnicity, relationship status, and education
were all significantly associated with planning to fully vaccinate and preconception
decision-making (P < .001). Preconception decision-making correlated strongly with intent to fully vaccinate
(P < .001). Parents influenced by personal education, medical professionals, and family/friends
were more likely to endorse preconception decision-making; those strongly influenced
by internet/social media were less likely to allow all vaccines or start decision-making
prior to conception.
Conclusions
Vaccine decision-making occurs preconception for most new parents. Initiating vaccine
discussions during the birth hospitalization may be too late.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: November 05, 2021
Accepted:
October 19,
2021
Received:
June 3,
2021
Footnotes
All authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Clinical Trial Registration: Not Applicable
Data Sharing Statement: Deidentified individual participant data will not be made available.
Identification
Copyright
Copyright © 2021 by Academic Pediatric Association
