Parent and Peer Norms are Unique Correlates of COVID-19 Vaccine Intentions in a Diverse Sample of U.S. Adolescents

PURPOSE: Recent studies have documented worrisome levels of hesitancy and resistance to the COVID-19 vaccine, including within the adolescent population. In this study, we examined attitudinal (perceived severity of COVID-19, vaccine-related concerns) and interpersonal (parent and peer norms) antecedents of adolescents' intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. METHODS: Participants were 916 adolescents (aged 12–17 years) from across the United States (47.3% male) representing diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds (26% African-American, 22% Hispanic/Latinx, 35% white, 7% Asian American). They completed a survey on their experiences and attitudes surrounding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine. RESULTS: Parent and peer norms were distinct predictors of adolescent willingness to receive the vaccine. These norms were associated with vaccine intentions directly and indirectly through adolescents' beliefs about the vaccine's safety, efficacy, and necessity. Parent norms in particular displayed large effect sizes and explained considerable variance in adolescents' vaccine intentions. CONCLUSIONS: Parents and friends—who figure as adolescents' most salient interpersonal relationships—are key leveraging points in promoting adolescents' uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine. Norm interventions and family-based interventions may be successful in this regard.