preprints.org > public health and healthcare > public health and health services > doi: 10.20944/preprints202403.1665.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 27 March 2024 / Approved: 27 March 2024 / Online: 27 March 2024 (10:03:06 CET)

Parental refusal of childhood vaccines is a growing public health concern. Numerous reasons exist for this refusal, including religious, personal, and philosophical beliefs, and safety concerns. However, parental refusal of childhood vaccines is not simply an individualized problem for the family; this impacts herd immunity and affects the entire community. To improve vaccination rates among the pediatric population, understanding the thought process and decision-making behind parental opposition and refusal of vaccinations is essential. Using a survey developed to assess attitudes towards recommended childhood vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine, this study examined the correlation between vaccine literacy and hesitancy among parents and legal guardians of elementary school-aged children in the Midwest. Responses were analyzed using Chi-squared tests on “R” software. Significant negative correlations were found between COVID-19 hesitancy and vaccine literacy, and resistance towards all vaccines and vaccine literacy. No significant negative correlations were found between hesitancy towards all vaccines and vaccine literacy, or hesitancy and literacy among different income and education brackets. Our results suggest that vaccine education may lessen vaccine hesitancy among parents and may be an essential factor in improving vaccination rates among the pediatric population.

vaccine literacy; vaccine hesitancy; personal beliefs; COVID-19 vaccine

Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services

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