TITLE:
Investigating Factors Associated with Vaccine Hesitancy in Makkah, KSA
AUTHORS:
Rana Albarakati, Lujain Almatrafi, Gaidaa Fatta, Batool Fatani, Yosra Alhindi
KEYWORDS:
Vaccine, Hesitancy, Parents, Children
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Vaccines,
Vol.9 No.2,
April
4,
2019
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Vaccination provides health and economic benefits to the individual and to society. In Saudi Arabia, public support for immunisation programmes is generally high and well received. However, the benefits of vaccines are often not fully known or appreciated. When public discussion on vaccine safety, quality or efficacy occurs, very often misinformation creeps into the debate through the internet and other media sources, significantly weakening immunisation programmes. Vaccine hesitancy is a concept frequently used in the discourse around vaccine acceptance. This study reflects on the factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, through a study focusing on knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among parents of young children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in seven primary schools in Makkah city, Saud Arabia. Data were collected in 2017 through a computer based-survey administered to 100 parents with children aged between 2 months and 17 years of age. Questionnaire responses were analysed using Minitab. Results: Many parents (with a total of 292 children) agreed on the importance of vaccinations, to protect their children’s health and to prevent the spread of diseases in the community. Most parents (68.7%, P Discussion and Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy is a common problem in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Further research will be needed to better understand when, how and why these beliefs are formed.