670 - Where and how many? Emerging post-pandemic data that informs and optimizes teen vaccination

Publication Number: 670.7063

Jane R. Quinn, Unity Consortium, Haddonfield, NJ, United States; Samyukta Rao, Unity Consortium, New York, NY, United States; Madeline McNee, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Amy B. Middleman, UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, United States

Background: Adolescent vaccination rates declined sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic, and several vaccines recommended for adolescents continue to lag coverage goals. Parents and adolescents have long expressed a preference to receive vaccines in primary care settings. Bundling recommendations by healthcare providers for vaccines (e.g., HPV, Tdap and MenACWY vaccines in one adolescent visit) has been shown to increase vaccination coverage rates.

Objective: To describe preferences for vaccination in non-primary care settings and acceptability of multiple vaccines administered at a visit among parents of adolescents and adolescents during and since the pandemic.

Design/Methods: Unity conducted online surveys on immunization topics with a representative group of US parents/guardians of adolescents aged 13-18 years and adolescents aged 13-18 years (approx. 500 per group). Surveys were fielded in Aug 2020, Feb and Jun 2021, Oct 2023, and Sept 2024.

Results: While the primary provider’s office has remained the most highly preferred location among parents and teens, the acceptability of pharmacies for vaccination increased since the pandemic (Figure 1). Comparing Jun 2021 versus Oct 2023, preference for COVID-19 vaccination in a pharmacy increased for parents (34%/66%) and teens (21%/57%). In Sept 2024, parents (56%) and teens (49%) were willing to receive any recommended adolescent vaccine in a pharmacy setting. Preference for doctors’ offices and pharmacy locations did not differ based on sociodemographic variables.

Regardless of setting, about 1 in 5 parents (19%) prefer a maximum of one vaccine per visit while the vast majority of parents (78%) and teens (76%) are comfortable with two or more shots (Figure 2). Of note, 3% of parents and 10% of teens prefer zero vaccinations. Differences in responses were noted among both parents and teens based on teen age and sociodemographic variables; full analysis is pending (Figure 3).

Conclusion(s): Beliefs are evolving since the pandemic about where and how many vaccines are administered. Greater acceptance of vaccination outside of healthcare providers’ offices will likely lead to improved access to vaccines. Parent and teen acceptance of two or more vaccines in a visit supports the use of bundling vaccine recommendations as a strategy to improve vaccination rates. More study is needed to determine and address community differences in vaccination preferences among parents and teens.

Parent location preferences for teen to receive a vaccine during and post COVID-19 pandemic
*Further described as: a community center, auditorium, church, synagogue, etc.
Parent Q (2023): Please rate your preference for the following locations where your teen might receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Parent Q (2024): Rate your preference for each of the possible vaccine locations where your teen could get vaccinated on a scale of ‘Not at All Preferred’ to ‘Most Preferred.’
2020-2021 Base=Plan to or Might Get Teen COVID-19 Vaccine; 2023 Base=Plan To or Not Sure if Teen Will Get Vaccine; 2024 Base=Comfortable Having Teen Get One or More Vaccine Shots in One Healthcare Visit.

Highest number of vaccine shots parents (for teens) and teens are comfortable receiving in one visit
New question in Unity Survey Sep 2024.
Parent Q: What is the highest number of vaccine shots (injections) you are comfortable having your teen get during one healthcare visit?
Teen Q: What is the highest number of vaccine shots (injections) you are comfortable getting during one healthcare visit?

Highest number of vaccine shots parents (for teens) and teens are comfortable receiving in one visit by age and sociodemographic variables
New question in Unity Survey Sep 2024.
Parent Q: What is the highest number of vaccine shots (injections) you are comfortable having your teen get during one healthcare visit?
Teen Q: What is the highest number of vaccine shots (injections) you are comfortable getting during one healthcare visit?