Abstract
BACKGROUND: The updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine was available in the United States beginning September 2023. Our objective was to identify reasons for decisions related to vaccination of children in the household. METHODS: In December 2023, adults in Oregon and Washington were asked whether they or their household children had received the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccination. Adults with unvaccinated children were asked about intentions to vaccinate and to rank the top three reasons for their decision. Vaccine concordance between adults and household children was assessed. RESULTS: Among 1067 adult participants, 33 % (n = 352) of adults reported at least one unvaccinated household child: 23 % intended to vaccinate and 10 % did not intend to vaccinate. Among 243 adults who intended to vaccinate, 73 % selected "if there is more severe illness in my school or community", as a primary reason; the highest ranked reason among those not intending to vaccinate was the belief that their child would not become severely ill (66 %). 78 % of adults made the same vaccine decisions for themselves and their children. CONCLUSION: Participant's perception of their child's individual risk from SARS-CoV-2 infection was the primary consideration impacting vaccine uptake and intent for 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine.