Vaccine Rejection In A University’s Training Family Health Centers

Abstract

Objective: It was aimed to determine the vaccine rejection rates and affecting factors in the Training Family Health Centers (TFHC) affiliated with a department of family medicine. Methods: This study was designed as a mixed research and conducted in two TFHC of Department of Family Medicine of Atatürk University. In 2018, parents who did not receive at least one of the vaccines required under the Ministry of Health's Extended Immunity Program were included. Semi-structured interview technique was used on the telephone as the data collection method. Content analysis was applied statistically. An in-depth interview was done with 6 volunteering parents. Results: The mean age was 30±1.2 years for both parents. All parents (n=6) who refused vaccination were university graduates. 66.7% of the parents (n=4) had high monthly income. According to the medical records of 749 children between 0-16 ages who were supposed to be vaccinated in 2018, it was observed that in nine children (1.2%), at least one vaccine was missing. Four children were not vaccinated due to distrust to the vaccine. Three of the parents refused vaccination due to complications developed after previous vaccinations. Conclusions: Vaccine rejection rates were found low in our TFHCs and socioeconomic levels of them were high. The most important factors affecting vaccine rejection were the lack of confidence in the vaccine content and insufficient information about vaccines.

Childhood vaccine hesitancy in two regions with different socioeconomic backgrounds in Turkey

“…Turkey's childhood immunization rate is expected to fall below the critical level of 80% in 5 years unless something is done about vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal. Experts are concerned that epidemics will reappear, inevitably leading to child deaths that could be prevented by immunization (Nas et al 2020). We need first to understand vaccine hesitancy and determine how widespread and effective it is to protect and improve public health and combat vaccine refusal.…”

Childhood Vaccine Hesitancy in Two Regions with Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds in Turkey

“…Turkey's childhood immunization rate is expected to fall below the critical level of 80% in ve years unless something is done about vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal. Experts are concerned that epidemics will reappear, inevitably leading to child deaths that could be prevented by immunization [12]. We need rst to understand vaccine hesitancy and determine how widespread and effective it is to protect and improve public health and combat vaccine refusal.…”

Can We Persuade Those Who Hesitate to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

“…3 However, anti-vaccine movements and hesitancy, which are already present in the pre-pandemic period, can strain public health about vaccines developed against the new coronavirus. 4 It is seen that these reservations and insecurities also continue toward vaccines developed against the new coronavirus. 5 It is clear that vaccination of the public is needed in order to control the increasing number of cases and to ease the burden on the health system.…”