Most Parents Will Either Wait or Not Vaccinate Their Kids Against COVID-19

The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for kids as young as 12 in America. But vaccine hesitancy remains high among parents—and one small survey found that the vast majority of parents will either delay or not vaccinate their children against COVID-19.

The survey, conducted by digital data company Invisibly, recorded responses from 1,258 parents of kids aged 0 to 17 years old. According to the survey, 32 percent of the respondents’ children were between 14 and 17 years old; 29 percent were 10 to 13 years old; 17 percent were aged between 6 and 9 years old; and 22 percent were 0 to 5 years old.

Of the respondents, 26 percent said they planned to get their children vaccinated immediately, while 74 percent said they would either wait a few months or didn’t plan to vaccinate their kids. When breaking down the 74 percent, 41 percent said they would wait a few months after the vaccine became available to get their kids the shot, while 33 percent said they did not have any plans to vaccinate their kids.

While 36 percent of parents to kids aged 14 to 17 planned to vaccinate their children, only 17 percent of parents with kids under the age of 5 planned to do so. In fact, 26 percent of parents not willing to get their kids the vaccine had children aged 5 or younger.

Of course, while Pfizer hopes to have one by the fall, there is not yet a COVID-19 vaccine available for kids under 12. Plus, experts don’t yet have all the facts on how the novel coronavirus affects young children.

While the CDC recommends getting the COVID-19 vaccine, it is a personal choice. If you’re a parent with questions about getting the vaccine for your child once it becomes available, be sure to reach out to your pediatrician for help getting answers.

To read the full survey, visit Invisibly.com.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.