Individuals’ perceptions and information sources on vaccination in Greece

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONIn the digital age, Internet and social networks are the most important media for exchanging information and personal experiences. Individuals with health problems can use social media to increase their knowledge about diseases and treatment, often having the Internet as their main information source. Vaccines have been classified as one of the most important medical discoveries of all time. Vaccination acceptance is considered critical for the prevention of contagious diseases. The present study attempted to investigate the general public's perceptions on vaccination and their sources of information about vaccines, in Greece. METHODS The study was conducted through a web-based survey. The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended, 7-point Likert scale questions and multiple-choice questions. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Also, bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictor variables concerning information sources on the participants' opinions on vaccines. RESULTSResponses by 683 individuals were obtained. Healthcare professionals are considered by the participants as the preferred source of information on vaccination. Older age groups express a higher degree of agreement regarding doctors as preferred information source, compared to the younger ones. More than 60% of the participants choose to be informed by official bodies such as the National Public Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. A small proportion of the respondents (8%) stated that often to always they preferred social media as information sources about vaccinations. Doctors and Ministry of Health as sources of information and older age groups were found to be strong predictors of participants' positive attitude towards vaccines. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that the vast majority of the participants are positive about vaccinations and seem to rely on more official sources of information on vaccination than the general Internet and social media. Communication efforts on vaccination awareness should be directed at younger ages and in particular through social media.

Exploring Perceptions and Practices Regarding Adult Vaccination against Seasonal Influenza, Tetanus, Pneumococcal Disease, Herpes Zoster and COVID-19: A Mixed-Methods Study in Greece

“…Doctors, and especially family physicians, were the primary source of information for all vaccines, influencing participants’ views on immunization and vaccination uptake, followed by pharmacists, reiterating findings of previous Greek, Dutch and Spanish studies [ 20 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Recent US surveys showcased the public’s trust in doctors, especially primary care practitioners, as a source of reliable information regarding vaccines [ 36 , 37 ].…”

“…Going forward, utilizing scales that go beyond trust and confidence, such as the ATAVAC scale, will be crucial in quantitatively examining vaccine hesitancy and its determinants across different populations. Doctors, and especially family physicians, were the primary source of information for all vaccines, influencing participants' views on immunization and vaccination up-take, followed by pharmacists, reiterating findings of previous Greek, Dutch and Spanish studies [20,[33][34][35]. Recent US surveys showcased the public's trust in doctors, especially primary care practitioners, as a source of reliable information regarding vaccines [36,37].…”

“…Yet, these have mostly been associated with providing disinformation and deliberate spreading of fake news [41], especially through refusers' alarming anti-vaccine footprint on social media [42]. This was reflected in a previous Greek study, where being informed by social media predicted self-reported hesitancy and increased focus on vaccine side effects [33].…”