The individual and ecological characteristics of parental COVID-19 vaccination decisions

Abstract

Vaccination is a highly effective method to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate severe disease. In Germany, adult vaccination rates are relatively high at 85.5%, but rates are significantly lower for adolescents (69.6%) and children (20.0%). This discrepancy indicates that not all vaccinated parents choose to vaccinate their children. Analyzing data from a January 2022 online survey of 1,819 parents with children and adolescents, we explore the socio-economic factors influencing parents’ willingness to vaccinate themselves and their children. Our results show that individuals who vote for either side of the political extremes are less likely to vaccinate their children. This pattern is particularly strong for voters on the far right. In addition, we find that better educated parents are more likely to vaccinate both themselves and their children. Parents who vaccinate both themselves and their children demonstrate greater confidence in the vaccine’s effectiveness, while those who vaccinate only themselves are often motivated by a desire to regain personal freedoms. These insights highlight the need for targeted public health strategies to address specific concerns and improve vaccination rates among children and adolescents.