Evaluation of parents’ knowledge of mandatory and recommended vaccinations for children in the city of Zielona Góra, taking into account medical and non-medical professions

Abstract

All children born and temporarily residing in Poland are required to be vaccinated. Parents have a choice between free vaccines, which are funded by the state budget, and recommended multivalent vaccines for which they have to pay. The number of parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated remains relatively low. Unfortunately, the percentage of unvaccinated children increases every year, despite the best efforts of healthcare professionals and comprehensive public health education. It can be assumed that the reason for the increasing number of refusals to vaccinate children is the lack of knowledge of vaccination demonstrated by their parents and guardians. The study was conducted in 2022 using a proprietary, anonymous survey of 138 parents who had their children vaccinated. Keywords: knowledge, vaccination, medical staff, adverse post-vaccination reaction.