P-19 Knowledge, Acceptance and attitudes of parents regard- ing COVID-19 vaccination of children at the George- town Public Hospital Corporation and its Satellite Health Centers.

Methods: Parents and legal guardians of children aged 6months to twelve years were included in the target sample which totaled 386 participants. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and its satellite health centers were chosen as research sites. Participants were interviewed using an interviewer-administered The demographic, and other  characteristics  among  these participants  were compared, and SPSS was used to assess the statistical significance of difference across groups.  

Results: Results indicated a 77% vaccination rate among participating parents, with the main reason for vaccination being to maintain job security (47%). Among the unvaccinated partcipants, 51% influenced by social media and 23% by  personal  research.  However,  a child vaccination rate of only 14% was seen. Results  also ashowed as significant relationship between the age of the parents and opin- ion on COVID-19 vaccine safety in children (p-value .002), scientific background and vaccine safety opinions (p-value <.001), ethnicity and vaccine safety opinions (p-value <.003). Source of knowledge avout COVID-19 vaccines also showed significance in the opinion if its safety in children (p<.001).

Conclusion: Several factors, including age, scientific background, ground, ethnicity, highest level of education, and source of information were found to be associated with participants' views on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in children. Understanding  these  diverse factors  can  guide  more  targeted efforts that resonate with specific demographic considerations, promoting aneffective public health approach.