A Study of Vaccine Hesitancy among Mother and Care Provider during MR Vaccine Campaign

Abstract

Background: Despite evidence regarding the crucial beneficial effects of vaccines, vaccination has not been carried up to the mark across the globe. The latent issue of vaccine hesitancy for new emerging vaccine leading to vaccine refusals has not been widely addressed particularly in the Indian context. Objectives: The present study was conducted to find out the proportion and factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy for childhood vaccinations in urban area. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 712 children of 9 months to up to 15 years old and adolescent residing in urban areas. Associations were analyzed using percentage proportion, logistic regression and by student ‘t’ test. Results: 140 (19.7%) of the families were vaccine hesitant and 572 (80.3%) were not hesitant. Nuclear families, mothers of lower educational status and have history of incomplete previous immunization had significantly higher odds of vaccine hesitancy. Lacks of trust / fear of new vaccination (42.1%) and Reluctance to new vaccine (37.8%) were the major reasons cited for vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion: Along this spectrum of indecision, there is a range of vaccine uptake, depending on additional influences that move an individual toward or away from ultimately accepting a particular vaccine.

Keywords

• Vaccine hesitancy
• MR vaccination campaign
• attitude
• urban area