Support for Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines for 5- to 11-Year-Old Children: Cross-sectional study of Omani mothers

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the variables that influenced a sample of Omani mothers’ support for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for children. The vaccination against COVID-19 averted millions of fatalities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, a considerable number of parents and caregivers opposed mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at several healthcare facilities in Oman using a structured questionnaire between February and March 2022. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyse the data. Results: A total of 700 Omani mothers (response rate = 73.4%) who had children aged 5–11 years old were included. The median age of the mothers was 38 ± 5.19 years. The results of multivariable logistic regression were generally consistent with those of the univariable analysis except for age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–1.93; P = 0.86) and income (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 0.58–2.03; P = 0.79). Mothers who were vaccine hesitant (OR = 9.82, 95% CI: 5.27–18.28; P <0.001), tested positive for COVID-19 (OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.80–5.86; P <0.001) and had one or two doses of COVID-19 vaccines (OR = 5.41, 95% CI: 2.92–10.03; P <0.001) were more likely to refuse mandating COVID-19 vaccines for children 5–11 years old. Conclusion: Mothers who were vaccine hesitant, tested positive for COVID-19 and had one or two doses of COVID-19 vaccines were more likely to oppose mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for young children. The findings should aid public health authorities in designing future childhood vaccine literacy programmes with specific attention to some subgroups in Oman to help reduce opposition to vaccines in future pandemics among mothers.

Keywords: COVID-19; Mandatory Vaccine; Vaccine Hesitancy; Children; Oman.