143 - Provider and Parent Opinions Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination for Children with Chronic Health Conditions from Under Resourced Communities

Publication Number: 143.6439

Sameer Patel, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Elaine P. Coldren, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Rohan M.. Shah, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States

Background: COVID-19 booster vaccination uptake is low among children, particularly in communities with low childhood opportunity index (COI), a zip-code based federal metric of neighborhood resources important for healthy childhood development.

Objective: The aim of this study was to collect opinions about COVID-19 vaccination from the providers and parents of children with chronic health conditions who live in communities with low COI.

Design/Methods: Focus groups were held with pediatric providers at a federally qualified health center about effective messaging and barriers to vaccination. Results from the focus groups were used to develop vaccine messaging for parents of chronically ill children in zip codes with low or very low COI. Their parents were contacted to recommend booster vaccine from December 2023 to February 2024. Parents were again contacted after 60 days if their children had still not received COVID-19 boosters. Reasons for non-receipt, barriers to access, and willingness to receive future booster doses were assessed.

Results: The most effective messaging tactics identified by providers were using personal anecdotes about getting their own children or family members vaccinated against COVID-19 (40%, n=15), stating that the child getting vaccinated could protect vulnerable family members (33%, n=15), and focusing on the vaccine’s efficacy at preventing severe disease (27%, n=15). Of the 25 patients, median patient age was 10.0 years; Of the parents, 76% (n=19) spoke English as a primary language, and 24% (n=6) spoke Spanish. The most common chronic conditions were cardiovascular (84%, n=21), respiratory (76%, n=19) and gastrointestinal (60% n=15). Of 25 parents, 14 stated that they would accept COVD-19 booster vaccines, but had not yet visited their pediatrician. Five parents were worried about side effects and would not receive the vaccine unless mandated, three parents were worried about side effects but would consider future booster vaccines, and three parents declined to state a reason. Only 3 parents (12%) did not know how to get the booster vaccine.

Conclusion(s): Erie providers identified personal anecdotes, protecting family members, and prevention of severe disease as the most effective messaging tactics when discussing COVID-19 vaccination with parents. In a cohort of patients with complex medical conditions from under-resourced communities, most parents were willing to consider future COVID-19 boosters, and knew how to receive them, but had not followed up with their providers.