595 - Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Pediatric Primary Care by Offering Vaccine to Household Members

Poster Number: 595
Publication Number: 595.208

Mary Burkhardt, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Francis Real, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Dominick DeBlasio, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Andrew F. Beck, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Allison Reyner, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Brittany Rosen, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States

Background: The intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is low among vulnerable populations including racial and ethnic minorities. To address hesitancy and accessibility barriers, vaccines should be administered in familiar, trusted, and convenient locations.

Objective: We sought to implement universal COVID-19 vaccination for both our pediatric patients and their household members to contribute to increased, equitable vaccine access and uptake in our community.

Design/Methods: This quality improvement study evaluated an innovative clinical model for patient and household member COVID-19 vaccination in 3 primary care practices, serving 33,000 children. We offered COVID-19 vaccine to eligible patients and household members during any pediatric primary care visit. At check-in, eligible household members were asked if they wanted to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Those agreeing were electronically registered and vaccinated. Undecided household members were able to have vaccine questions or concerns addressed by a provider while their child received routine care. When the vaccine was accepted, providers documented in the vaccine administration order: a) if the family decided to get their child vaccinated prior to or during the office visit and b) influences/reasons for vaccine acceptance.

Results: Between May 13 and November 13, 2021, 2,464 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered to 1,557 unique patients and/or household members (36.7% household members; 71.7% self-identifying as Black and/or Latinx). A total of 699 doses (44.8%) were given in the context of routine care visit (i.e., not for COVID-19 vaccine visit). More than one-third of those patients’ parents reported being undecided about vaccination prior to the visit (n=246, 35.2%). The most common reasons influencing vaccine acceptance were input from parents/family members (38.3%), data/studies supporting vaccination (17.3%), and recommendations from medical providers (9.1%). Of eligible children presenting to our primary care locations for routine care, 24% completed at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. To date, 79.7% (597 of 749) of patients have completed their 2-dose Pfizer vaccine series.Conclusion(s): Universally offering COVID-19 vaccine to eligible patients and household members during routine pediatric office visits has the potential to mitigate vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates. Although widespread vaccination across communities requires multilayered approaches, pediatric offices play an impactful role, bringing access and trust to a situation requiring both.
COVID-19 Vaccines Administered Per Week By Age of Recipient
Reported Reasons for Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance