Youth vaccination clinic survey: Summary of results
PDF version (PDF, 413 KB)
- Sample
- Perception of the importance of vaccination
- Perception of the decision for vaccination
- Social pressure to receive vaccination
- Perception of others getting vaccinated
- Awareness of the type of COVID-19 vaccine administered
- Motivation for COVID-19 vaccination
- Conclusion
Public Health Sudbury & Districts conducted an online Youth Vaccination Clinic survey for youth aged twelve to seventeen years old from June 14 to June 25, 2021. This survey aims to examine the causal factors of vaccine hesitancy among adolescents and the findings will be used to inform planning efforts.
Sample
- 777 respondents completed the survey
- 95% reported residency in Greater Sudbury*
- 5% reported residency in the districts**
- 98% of respondents conducted the survey in English
- 2% of respondents completed the survey in French
- 19% of respondents identified as twelve years of age
- 15% of respondents identified as thirteen years of age
- 21% of respondents identified as fourteen years of age
- 19% of respondents identified as fifteen years of age
- 15% of respondents identified as sixteen years of age
- 11% of respondents identified as seventeen years of age
* Greater Sudbury includes Capreol, Coniston, Falconbridge, Garson, Skead, Wahnapitae, Walden, Lively, Azilda, Chelmsford, Valley East, Onaping Falls and Copper Cliff.
** The districts include the Espanola area, Chapleau area, Sudbury East area, and Manitoulin Island.
| Sample | Percentage/Count(n) |
|---|---|
| Greater Sudbury | 95 (736) |
| Manitoulin Island | 0.0 (0) |
| Espanola and surrounding area | 0.4 (3) |
| Chapleau and surrounding area | 0.6 (5) |
| Sudbury East | 4 (33) |
| Total number of respondents | 777 |
Perception of the importance of vaccination
Key findings:
- 98% agreed that vaccination is important to stop the spread of COVID-19 while some respondents (1%) shared that it is not important or preferred not to answer (1%).
- 30% of seventeen-year-old respondents stated they did not recognize the importance of COVID-19 vaccination compared to respondents from other age groups.
| Do you believe that vaccination is Important to stop the spread of COVID-19? | Percentage/Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 98 (760) |
| No | 1 (10) |
| Prefer not to answer | 1 (7) |
| Total | 777 |
Perception of the decision for vaccination
Key findings:
- 40% of respondents shared that it was a joint decision between them and their parents or guardians to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 36% of respondents noted that it was their own decision to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 22% of respondents stated that it was their parents or guardian’s decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
- 2% of respondents communicated that they preferred not to answer or indicated that other influences supported their vaccination outcome.
- Survey results suggests how various ages (12-17) correspond with parental influence and the respondents’ willingness to become vaccinated.
| Whose choice was it for you to get vaccinated? | Percentage/ Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Your decision | 36 (284) |
| Your parent’s or guardian’s decision | 22 (172) |
| A joint decision between you and your parent or guardian | 40 (311) |
| Prefer not to answer | 2 (4) |
| Total | 775 |
Social pressure to receive vaccination
Key findings:
- 87% shared how they did not feel social pressure to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 9% of respondents described they did feel social pressure to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 28% of sixteen-year-old respondents felt that they have experienced social pressure to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.
| Did you feel social pressure to get the vaccine? | Percentage/ Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 9 (72) |
| No | 87 (671) |
| Don’t know | 3 (21) |
| Prefer not to answer | 1 (4) |
| Total | 768 |
Perception of others getting vaccinated
Key findings:
- 91% of respondents shared that most people they associate with are obtaining their COVID-19 vaccination.
- 4% of respondents noted that most people they associate with are not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 4 % of respondents described how they were not aware if people they affiliate with were receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 29% of twelve-year-old respondents shared how most people they are acquainted with are not vaccinated and 26% of the same age group are unsure of their friends’ vaccination status.
| Are most people you know being vaccinated or are vaccinated? | Percentage/ Count(n) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 91 (699) |
| No | 4 (31) |
| Don’t Know | 4 (35) |
| Prefer not to answer | 1 (1) |
| Total | 765 |
Awareness of the type of COVID-19 vaccine administered
Key findings:
- 87% of respondents were aware of the type of COVID-19 vaccine they were obtaining the day of the COVID vaccination clinic.
- 75% of respondents reported receiving the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine.
- 12% of respondents reported receiving either the Moderna or AstraZeneca vaccine.
- 12% of respondents indicated they did not know which COVID-19 vaccine they were receiving.
| Do you know the name of the vaccine you are receiving today? | Percentage/ Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Pfizer BioNTech | 75 (574) |
| Moderna, AstraZeneca | 12 (92) |
| Don’t Know | 12 (97) |
| Prefer not to answer | 1 (2) |
| Total | 765 |
Motivation for COVID-19 vaccination
Key findings:
- A total of 716 respondents described what their motivation is to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine.
- 22% of respondents shared that they received the COVID-19 vaccine to stop the spread of COVID-19 to ensure others are safe.
- 19% of respondents described they were motivated to increase their ability to see family and friends again while 13% wanted to ensure their friends and friends are staying safe.
- 19% noted how they were vaccinated to ensure a cautious return to normalcy.
- Some respondents stated they were motivated to get vaccinated to return to school/education (7%), be able to play sports (5%), and to travel/vacation safely (5%).
| What is your motivation for vaccination? | Percentage/ Count (n) |
|---|---|
| Stopping the spread of COVID-19/keeping others safe | 22 (157) |
| Returning to normal | 19 (136) |
| Family/Friends | 19 (136) |
| Staying safe | 13 (93) |
| Return to School/Education | 7 (50) |
| Sports | 5 (35) |
| Travel/Vacation | 5 (35) |
| Other | 1 (7) |
| Total | 716 |
Respondents were asked “What is your motivation for vaccination?” and youth shared various statements about why they were receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
“I feel its important to get vaccinated to ensure that everyone is safe and to stop the spread of COVID-19.” (Age 14)
“Being able to go back to school and do sports without having to worry so much.” (Age 17)
“Stopping the spread, preventing you from getting sick. My mom got COVID and got really sick. I want to protect my grandparents and I want to protect other people more than me.” (Age 15)
“So that people feel safe around me and so I feel safe around others.” (Age 13)
“I want to contribute to the return of normalcy and also protect myself as well as my loved ones.” (Age 16)
“Go back to the classroom.” (Age 12)
Conclusion
The findings from this survey will be used to inform planning for both COVID-19 and routine youth vaccinations. Responses from this population are helping public health better understand the role of adult influencers and peers in relation to vaccination. Additionally, the results demonstrate the information needs of youth, including details about the vaccine and its purpose. Reasons for vaccination motivation will be used in ongoing messaging and outreach to youth.
Public Health Sudbury & Districts developed a number of resources directed to youth and families to help explain the COVID-19 vaccine to reduce hesitancy. These resources can be found at the links below:
- Factsheet for parents and youth on the COVID-19 vaccine (Public Health Sudbury & Districts, PDF, 164 KB)
- Frequently asked question about the COVID-19 vaccines (Public Health Sudbury & Districts website)
This item was last modified on October 13, 2021