Factors associated with parental acceptance of Covid-19 pediatric vaccination in camiling, Tarlac, Philippines: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Controlling, containing, and fighting the Covid-19 virus depends on vaccination; thus, everyone is qualified. All are encouraged to take the Covid-19 jab for the country to achieve herd immunity. Moreover, for pediatric vaccination, parents’ decisions play a crucial role in the vaccination program. The study assessed the factors associated with parental acceptance of pediatric vaccination for Covid-19. The study was conducted at Camiling Central Elementary School in Camiling, Tarlac - for the School Year 2022 - 2023. The study used quantitative descriptive research with a correlational design with 310 parents as the respondents using Slovin’s Formula at a 5% error. Structured, validated, and reliability-tested questionnaires - were used in gathering data. The study found that most respondents were less than 40 years old, most were women, had completed college level, and most were from the lower class in their economic status. In addition, the study revealed that 298 out of 310 parents had received Covid-19 vaccines. However, there were 12 who were not vaccinated because they were still undecided. The study also found that respondents primarily obtained information about Covid-19 through social media. In addition, the study revealed that the respondents moderately accepted pediatric vaccination of Covid-19 in terms of effectiveness, convenience, complacency, and confidence. It showed no significant correlation between the demographic profile of age (p = 0.237, r = 0.067), gender (p = 0.270, r = 0.063), educational attainment (p = 0.144, r = 0.083), and level of parental acceptance. Moreover, the study discovered a substantial connection between economic status (p = 0.130, r = 0.086), vaccination status (p = 0.025, r = 0.127), and level of parental acceptance of Covid-19 pediatric vaccination. Finally, there are problems encountered by the respondents in Covid-19 vaccination. Thus, researchers proposed intervention measures to address the related issues.