Vaccine Hesitancy: An Overview on Parents' Opinions about Vaccination and Possible Reasons of Vaccine Refusal

Abstract

Background. Vaccine hesitancy has increased worldwide with a subsequent decreasing of vaccination rates and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (i.e. measles, poliomyelitis and pertussis) in several developed countries, including Italy.
 Design and Methods. We conducted a survey to investigate the attitudes of a parents’ sample about vaccinations by the distribution of questionnaires in six lower secondary schools of the Italian city of Messina.
 Results. Regarding vaccinations carried out on children, the declared vaccination coverage rates ranged widely between good coverage percentages for some vaccinations (Measles-Mumps-Rubella, Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis), and very low coverage rates for others, especially for “new” vaccinations (HPV, meningococcal, pneumococcal). The vaccinations carried out correlated negatively with both parents’ age and their level of education. Moreover, a favourable parents’ opinion was strongly influenced by a favourable opinion of the physician, while an unfavourable parents’ opinion seemed conditioned by a direct or indirect knowledge of people harmed by vaccines. In addition, our data show that parents do not often know or partially know the real composition of the vaccines and the diseases prevented by vaccinations.
 Conclusions. Data analysis shows that parents are, theoretically, favourable towards vaccinations but have little knowledge of such practices, sometimes not being unaware of the types of vaccines administrated to their children. Health education and communication of correct information are certainly the cornerstones to improve the situation and to fight the widespread and non-grounded fears about vaccines.

Understanding the three As (Awareness, Access, and Acceptability) dimensions of vaccine hesitancy in Odisha, India

“…Previous bad experience with pentavalent vaccine has been highlighted as the most common reason for hesitancy or refusal, which is supported by other studies in the past. 22,23 Similarly, vaccine hesitancy related to other vaccines such as pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) has been reported in previous studies. 24,25 Elliott et al in his study from north India found that measles is the most commonly omitted vaccine in the primary course and first and second boosters of diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus toxoid are most commonly missed vaccines.…”

Vaccine Hesitancy and Effects of COVID-19

“…Bugüne kadar yapılan araştırmalar, aşı tereddüt nedenlerinin dünya genelinde yıllar içinde değiştiğini göstermiştir. 13,14 Aşılamaya karar verme sürecinin gelişimi Şekil 1'de görülmektedir.…”

“…Özellikle eğitim düzeyi düşük ailelerin, enfeksiyonlar konusunda bilgilerinin olmaması ve toplumsal sağlık bilinçlerinin düşük olmasının, çocukların aşılanması ve/veya zamanında aşılanması konusunda ters bir etkiye sahip olduğu bilinmektedir. 13 ŞEKİL 1: Aşılamaya karar verme süreci.…”

The Role of the Media on Parental Confidence in Provider HPV Recommendation

“…Many studies have documented high rates of parental hesitancy around human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, contributing to delay of vaccination or vaccine refusal [1,2,3]. Low coverage rates have prompted a great deal of research on the determinants of HPV vaccination, and the literature consistently highlights the powerful in uence of healthcare providers' recommendations on parental HPV decisions and uptake; those who receive a provider recommendation are more likely to vaccinate their children than those who do not [1,4].…”