COVID-19 vaccine uptake and attitudes towards mandates in a nationally representative U.S. sample.

Widespread uptake of COVID-19 vaccination is vital to curtailing the pandemic, yet rates remain suboptimal in the U.S. Vaccine mandates have previously been successful, but are controversial. An April 2021 survey of a nationally representative sample (N = 1208) examined vaccine uptake, attitudes, and sociodemographic characteristics. Sixty-seven percent were vaccine acceptors, 14% wait-and-see, and 19% non-acceptors. Compared to wait-and-see and non-acceptors, acceptors were more likely to have a household member over age 65, have received a flu shot, have positive COVID-19 vaccine attitudes, and view COVID-19 vaccination as beneficial. Mandate support was higher among respondents who were vaccine acceptors, had positive views about COVID-19 vaccines, believed in COVID-19 preventive strategies, perceived COVID-19 as severe, were liberal, resided in the Northeast, were non-White, and had incomes < $75,000. Public health campaigns should target attitudes that appear to drive hesitancy and prepare for varying mandate support based on demographics, COVID-19 vaccine attitudes, and the scope of the mandate.

The impact of financial incentives on COVID-19 vaccination intention among a sample of U.S. adults.

Financial incentives are one of several strategies that have been explored to enhance COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Although widely discussed, it is unclear how much of an incentive and for which subset of individuals incentives would be effective. This study explored the impact of hypothetical $600 or $1200 incentives on COVID-19 vaccination intention. From a nationally representative panel of U.S. adults, 346 individuals reported hesitance towards COVID-19 vaccination and were then asked about their willingness to accept a vaccine if offered hypothetical incentives. Results indicated 26.89% would get vaccinated if offered $600, and 30.06% if offered $1200. In the multivariable model that included sociodemographic and attitudinal predictors of vaccine uptake, those classified as 'wait-and-see' compared to those classified as non-acceptors were more likely to accept COVID-19 vaccines when given financial incentives, and those who believed more strongly in the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines were more likely to accept a vaccine when first offered hypothetical $600 and then $1200 incentives. Individuals unsure if they ever had COVID-19 were significantly less likely to be willing to get the vaccine for $1200 as compared to those who believed they previously had COVID-19. These results suggest that financial incentives can increase intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

"I've Weathered Really Horrible Storms Long Before This ": The Experiences of Parents Caring for Children with Hematological and Oncological Conditions during the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the U.S.

The societal impact of COVID-19 is vast, thus it is imperative to understand how vulnerable groups, such as children with chronic medical conditions are affected. This understanding can prepare psychologists and other healthcare providers to meet their current and future needs. A convenience sample of 11 parents of children with hematological/oncological conditions was recruited. They participated in semi-structured interviews on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on their children. Qualitative analysis identified common themes. Parental responses focused on the pandemic's impact on children's general daily life and healthcare. Themes of caution, uncertainty, adaptation, and the role of the healthcare providers and early medical experiences emerged. Concerns about vulnerability, changes in routine, the importance of virtual connections, and the pivotal role of providers have implications for children with and without medical conditions. The adaptation and resilience of the families provide a sense of hope in an uncertain time.

Research Participation of Minor Adolescents in Foster Care.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: In this study we evaluated published studies about foster care to: (1) determine the types of data used; (2) describe the degree to which a sexual/reproductive health topic was addressed; and (3) describe the consent process. DESIGN: Analysis of published literature. SETTING: PubMed was searched using "foster care" for English articles published between January 1, 2017 and September 4, 2019. PARTICIPANTS: None. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Articles were coded into 4 data source categories: primary, secondary, peripheral, or perspective data. Articles with a primary data source were coded for participant ages: only 9 years old and younger, 10- to 17-year-olds (minor adolescents), and only 18 years old and older. Articles using a secondary data source were coded for the source of the data registry. All articles were coded for presence of a sexual/reproductive health outcome. The primary data articles that included minor adolescents were coded for the study topic and consent process. RESULTS: Of the 176 articles about foster care, 72/176 (41%) used primary data, 53/176 (30%) used secondary data, and 51/176 (29%) used peripheral/perspective data. Forty-eight of the primary data articles included minor adolescents. Secondary data sources included few national research surveys. Sexual/reproductive health outcomes were measured in 17 articles, 4 of which used primary data. The consent process for minor adolescents varied and had no consistent pattern across studies. CONCLUSION: Research on best practices for consent processes and use of registries could be developed to increase research on sexual/reproductive health outcomes among adolescents in foster care.