Quebec parents are also divided on the idea of vaccinating, or not, their children from 6 months to 5 years old against COVID-19.
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Indeed, only 41% of parents intend to have their young children vaccinated against the disease, against 40% who do not intend to do so, shows a survey conducted by the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) unveiled tuesday.
Parents who are hesitant or outright refuse to have their children under 5 vaccinated cited many reasons, foremost among which is the lack of relevance, in their view, of the toddler vaccination campaign.
Thus, 23% of parents who do not intend to have their children vaccinated justified themselves by saying that they do not see the need for it, since COVID-19 presents a low risk for the little ones.
Fears about possible side effects discourage 20% of refractory parents, a number to which are added 8% of parents who have fears because of the novelty of the vaccine.
In addition, 17% of parents maintained that in their opinion, vaccines against COVID-19 are ineffective, while 7% do not trust vaccinations in general.
INSPQ surveys on COVID-19 are conducted online each week with approximately 3,300 adults. Responses for childhood vaccination were compiled between July 8 and July 20.