Socioeconomic Determinants in Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccine Refusal in Italy

Abstract

Childhood vaccination has been a milestone in the control of infectious diseases. However, even in countries offering equal access to vaccination, a number of vaccine-preventable diseases have re-emerged. Suboptimal vaccination coverage has been called into question. The aim was to explore socioeconomic inequalities in vaccine hesitancy and outright refusal. Families with at least one child aged between 3 months and 7 years were involved through an online survey. Families were classified as provaccine, hesitant, or antivaccine. The association between socioeconomic determinants and hesitancy/refusal was investigated with a logistic-regression model. A total of 3865 questionnaires were collected: 64.0% of families were provaccine, 32.4% hesitant, and 3.6% antivaccine. Rising levels of perceived economic hardship were associated with hesitancy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) from 1.34 to 1.59), and lower parental education was significantly associated with refusal (AOR from 1.89 to 3.39). Family economic hardship and parental education did not move in parallel. Economic hardship was a determinant of hesitancy. Lower education was a predictor of outright refusal without affecting hesitancy. These findings may serve as warnings, and further explanations of socioeconomic inequities are needed even in universal healthcare systems. Insight into these factors is necessary to improve convenience and remove potential access issues.

Influences on Attitudes regarding Potential COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States

“…The low level of confidence in a COVID-19 vaccine is likely a result of multiple factors found to influence confidence towards other vaccines, such as: confidence in efficacy of the vaccine, fear of side effects [16] and trust in the government and those developing and administering the vaccines [17]. Lower economic status and lower education have also been associated with vaccine refusal [18]. Since people are currently experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic in real-time, there is unfortunately an opportunity to investigate the role of personal experience with disease, demographic factors, social conscience and the development, timing, and nature of the vaccine itself in vaccine hesitancy.…”

Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, several challenges face the GVAP goal to increase the voluntary vaccination against influenza, particularly vaccine hesitancy. This has been faced with almost all vaccines before, such as diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and hemophilus influenza [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Even in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many remain skeptical and intend to abstain from voluntary vaccinations based upon myths, misinformation, and/or safety concerns [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Adherence to Vaccination Policy among Public Health Professionals: Results of a National Survey in Italy

“…Vaccines are considered one of the most effective and safest preventive measures at population level, followed by screening intervention [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Nevertheless, in Italy, starting from 2013, the number of under-vaccinated or unvaccinated people alarmingly increased because of currently well-known phenomenon of “vaccine hesitancy” defined by the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (WHO SAGE) working group as the “delay of acceptance or refusal of vaccination despite availability of vaccination services” [ 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]; in this scenario, control and elimination strategies could fail [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”