Mandatory and recommended vaccinations in Poland in the views of parents

Abstract

Background: Vaccinations are currently the key element in the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases. We studied parents' opinions about mandatory and recommended preventive vaccinations in Poland. Methods: A diagnostic survey using an original questionnaire was done in a group of 300 parents. Results: A total of 3.7% of parents did not vaccinate their children. 90% were aware of the threat potentially posed by infectious diseases, and 73.7% knew that breastfeeding alone does not ensure sufficient protection against them. 28% believed that it is necessary to vaccinate a child against all diseases, 51.7% that the number of vaccinations is insufficient, and 62.7% that vaccine use is safe. 40.7% thought that unvaccinated children should not be able to attend nurseries and kindergartens, as they pose a threat to other children. Postvaccinal adverse events occurred in 21.3% of children, mainly (71.9%) an increase in body temperature above 38°C. 88.3% were informed about possible vaccineinduced complications, most often by nurses (79.7%). 88% of the respondents were aware of the possibility to switch to an alternative immunization program, 92% were informed on the possible administration of recommended vaccines, and 53% took advantage of combined vaccines. Conclusions: Views on vaccinations were mostly varied, depending on the age, sex, education, and financial situation of the respondents. Most of the parents who did not vaccinate their children believed that immunity can be acquired by infection. They were in favor of a limited number of vaccinations, were more critical of the vaccination program in Poland, considered the vaccines used in Poland to be unsafe, and blamed vaccines for multiple developmental defects and autism in children. Parents whose children experienced vaccine-induced adverse reactions were more likely to have doubts before the next vaccination. ARTICLE HISTORY

The influence of socio-demographic characteristics on attitudes towards prophylactic vaccination in Poland

“…The scope of com-pulsory vaccinations differs between European countries. Some countries, including Poland, have a legally regulated program of mandatory vaccinations in place [1][2][3]. In Poland, mandatory vaccinations are regulated by the Act of December 5, 2008 on the Prevention and Control of Infections and Infectious Diseases in Humans [1].…”

Parental attitudes towards mandatory vaccination; a systematic review

“…Five quantitative studies scored particularly poorly (between three and five). [36-41] These studies were poor across the different dimensions evaluated, but low scores were because participants were not representative of the target population, complete outcome data were not reported, confounders were not accounted for in the study design and analysis, and outcome variables were not robustly measured.…”

“…Four studies found no evidence for an association between parent gender and support for mandatory vaccination schemes. [29, 30, 35-37] One poor quality study found an association between younger age and lower support for mandatory vaccination,[36, 37] while three studies (two good quality, one moderate quality) found no evidence for an association. [29, 30, 35] A further poor quality study found that parents of younger children were less likely to support mandatory vaccination.…”

“…[41] Lower education was associated with lower support for mandatory vaccination in a moderate quality study,[32] but not a poor quality study. [36, 37] Two further studies (one good quality, one moderate quality) found no evidence for an association between education and support for mandatory vaccination schemes restricting access to child-care or schooling only to vaccinated children. [30, 35] Lower household income was associated with lower support for mandatory vaccination schemes in which childcare or schooling is limited to vaccinated children in a good quality study,[30] while a moderate quality study found no evidence for an association.…”

“…[35] Lower household income was also associated with lower support for mandatory vaccination in a poor quality study. [36, 37] White ethnicity was associated with support for restrictions in eligibility for childcare or schooling for unvaccinated children. [30] There was no evidence for an association between ethnicity and the “no jab, no pay” scheme.…”