NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Parents appear apprehensive about vaccinating young children

Vaccine
Posted
and last updated

As COVID-19 vaccines for children under age 5 could soon get government authorization, most parents do not appear to be enthusiastic about getting their children vaccinated.

A poll released by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 18% of parents of children under age 5 plan to get their kids vaccinated “right away.” A plurality, 38%, said they will “wait and see.” The poll found that 11% of parents would only vaccinate their children if it was required, and 27% said they would “definitely not” vaccinate their children.

The survey consisted of 1,899 adults conducted from April 12-26.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that children are much less likely to be vaccinated. The data finds that just 28.5% of children ages 5-11 and 58.9% of those ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That’s compared to 76.1% of the adult population being fully vaccinated.

Last week, Moderna announced it is seeking emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 6 months old, which could allow children younger than age 5 to begin getting vaccinated by the summer.

The vaccine would come in two doses, Moderna said.

“We are proud to share that we have submitted for authorization for our COVID-19 vaccine for young children,” said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna. “We believe mRNA-1273 will be able to safely protect these children against SARS-CoV-2, which is so important in our continued fight against COVID-19, and will be especially welcomed by parents and caregivers.”

The CDC said children face a lower risk of severe symptoms from COVID-19. Children with underlying health conditions have a higher risk of hospitalization and complications from COVID-19, the CDC added.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Wednesday

02/11/2026

Mostly Clear

-° / 42°

4%

Thursday

02/12/2026

Mostly Clear

64° / 42°

7%

Friday

02/13/2026

Mostly Clear

63° / 42°

5%

Saturday

02/14/2026

Cloudy

71° / 46°

4%

Sunday

02/15/2026

Showers Late

67° / 49°

43%

Monday

02/16/2026

Showers

62° / 45°

47%

Tuesday

02/17/2026

Showers

59° / 40°

57%

Wednesday

02/18/2026

Showers

55° / 40°

43%