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This study investigated parental attitudes toward childhood vaccination in Jordan, focusing on acceptance, concerns, and perceptions. A cross-sectional survey conducted from January to February 2024 included 939 parents. Findings indicated that 85.4% (n = 802) of respondents received the COVID-19 vaccine, while only 25% (n = 229) vaccinated their children. Concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy were prevalent, with 63.9% (n = 600) expressing worries about side effects and 46.9% (n = 440) trusting immunization programs. Post-pandemic, 34% (n = 319) reported a more negative attitude. Logistic regression showed parents not vaccinating their children against COVID-19 were significantly less likely to exhibit positive attitudes toward childhood vaccination (OR = 0.412, p < 0.001). Older participants were more inclined toward negativity post-pandemic (OR = 1.031, p = 0.007). In conclusion, parental attitudes shifted post-COVID-19, reflecting hesitancy and decreased trust. Addressing concerns and restoring confidence are crucial, especially for children's health. Education through healthcare providers and dispelling social media misinformation are essential. Implementing strategies to enhance post-pandemic vaccine acceptance is imperative for preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across Philadelphia, approximately 80% of adults are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. However, many zip codes in the city remain far below the city-wide vaccination rate. These zip codes correspond to marginalized sections of the city and to neighborhoods with a high proportion of residents of color and high levels of poverty. In-depth interviews were conducted with representatives from 15 community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve such communities in the city to (1) learn why people are not yet vaccinated and (2) evaluate methods for encouraging vaccination. A qualitative thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted to evaluate why people are not getting vaccinated. Together, the findings suggest that distrust toward the vaccine, the government, and the healthcare system, combined with a host of matters considered by residents to be more urgent—such as missing work, cost concerns, and concerns around presenting identification—result in what might be better described as vaccine postponement rather than vaccine refusal. For many, vaccination is simply not a priority. The findings from this analysis illuminate some of the lesser discussed reasons for vaccination delay and provide insights into how to promote vaccinations both for the current Covid pandemic and for future vaccination efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Rotavirus (RV) is the primary cause of gastroenteritis in children worldwide, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five years of age. The introduction of Rotavirus vaccines (RVV) has markedly reduced RV-related childhood deaths, especially in Europe, where substantial reductions in hospitalizations and disease prevalence have been observed. Despite these advances, RVV uptake in Italy remains below the desired targets, with notable regional disparities. In Sicily, vaccination rates have fluctuated, with current coverage failing to meet national goals. Safety concerns and insufficient parental awareness are major barriers to RVV acceptance. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Southern Italy to identify factors influencing parental acceptance of RVV. Data were collected from parents using a structured questionnaire that assessed socio-demographic factors, vaccine knowledge, and attitudes based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Results: Overall, 226 parents were enrolled. Higher perceived benefit of RVV was significantly associated with increased vaccine adherence (Odds Ratio = 13.65; 95% Confidence Interval = 6.88–27.09; p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve vaccine coverage and address regional and socio-economic barriers to RVV acceptance. Furthermore, tailored educational campaigns and univocal information from healthcare providers could play pivotal roles in achieving higher vaccine uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccine hesitancy, which refers to the reluctance to be vaccinated, poses a major risk to public health in preventing infectious diseases. This hesitancy has been evident for many years, especially regarding childhood vaccines. The main factors contributing to this hesitancy include religious or personal beliefs, concerns about safety and efficacy, and desire to receive more information from healthcare providers. This literature review examines hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccines in different population segments in Turkey. Hesitancy rates and reasons in the general population and specific groups such as pregnant women, parents, healthcare workers and students were presented based on published research articles. Approximately half of the Turkish population declared their hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines. A negative correlation was found between vaccine hesitancy and health literacy. The relationship between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and religiosity was also investigated. Age is another factor affecting this vaccine hesitancy. Older age was shown to be correlated with positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Moreover, participants with positive attitudes towards other vaccines, those with chronic diseases and those with a personal history of COVID-19 were more likely to have positive perceptions of COVID-19 vaccines. Higher life satisfaction and non-smoking status were associated with a higher likelihood of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Increased scientific data on the efficacy and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and more information from healthcare professionals would likely reduce the hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vaccination is one of the most effective ways of protecting individuals against serious infectious diseases and their fatal consequences. Objectives: The aim of this scoping review was to synthesize data on parental attitudes toward vaccination and identify factors influencing the motivators and barriers to children's vaccination based on Polish studies. Methods: The scoping review process and reporting were based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScRs) checklist. In the period between January 2014 and July 2024, the following databases were searched for publications: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Ebsco, and Scholar Google. Results: A total of 1531 potentially relevant records were reviewed, and 30 original publications from research samples collected in Poland were selected. According to the findings, vaccination rates varied between 100% and 70%, with parental acceptance levels for mandatory vaccination ranging from 99% to 65%. Parents most commonly cited the physician, the nurse, and the Internet as their primary sources of vaccination-related information. Moreover, parental primary motivators for vaccinating their children were prevention against infectious diseases, the opinion that vaccines are safe, and the belief that childhood vaccination is right and effective. The major barriers to vaccination were fear of vaccine side effects and the belief that vaccines are ineffective. Parents that were better educated, were of younger age, lived in cities, and had a higher income were much more likely to vaccinate their children. Conclusions: Understanding parental attitudes toward vaccination may help develop an educational program aimed at combating misinformation and increasing childhood vaccination coverage rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Vaccine refusal or delay remains a significant public health concern, leading to lower vaccination rates and increasing the risk of preventable diseases. Patients and Methods: The study included 404 mothers and 413 children, assessing vaccination coverage and conducting telephone interviews with mothers who declined vaccines to understand their reasons. Results: Children of mothers who supported vaccination were more likely to be fully immunized compared to those with hesitant mothers. Among the incompletely vaccinated or unvaccinated children, 73.08% had mothers from the hesitant group (GNV). However, 90.05% of hesitant mothers still vaccinated their children with all recommended vaccines, while 9.95% maintained their refusal. Only 3.22% of the total sample, all from the GNV group, refused vaccination entirely. The primary reasons for refusal included fear of side effects, lack of trust in vaccines or the healthcare system, negative vaccination experiences, and influence from media or social platforms. Conclusion: While vaccination behaviors may improve as a child grows, a significant proportion of hesitant parents continue to exist across different population groups, contributing to suboptimal vaccination coverage rates. The consistent implementation of unified, nationwide strategies aimed at increasing trust in vaccines and the vaccination process is essential for achieving protective vaccination rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in rural populations where geographic and socioeconomic barriers exacerbate the issue. This study aimed to examine the factors influencing vaccine hesitancy, focusing on influenza vaccinations in rural and urban communities in Romania. Methods The study was conducted between October 4 and October 30, 2024, across 16 family medicine practices, including seven in rural and nine in urban areas from Romania. A 13-item vaccine hesitancy questionnaire, assessing factors such as fear of adverse effects, distrust in vaccines, and perceived necessity included 272 responses. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify distinct subgroups of hesitancy, while Chi-square and odds ratio analyses assessed geographic differences. We performed logistic regression for the most observed root attitudes on influenza vaccination refusal. Results Rural residents were significantly more likely to refuse influenza vaccination compared to urban residents. The LCA revealed three distinct latent classes, characterized by varying levels of agreement with key hesitancy items. Class 1 demonstrated low hesitancy, Class 2 exhibited high hesitancy driven by beliefs in natural immunity and perceived lack of necessity, and Class 3 showed intermediate hesitancy, influenced by distrust in vaccines and past negative experiences. Among the key significant triggers underlying vaccine refusal were fear of adverse effects, parental status, chronic diseases, and previous vaccination experiences, while factors such as age and gender showed limited impact. Conclusions Vaccine hesitancy persists as a complex, multidimensional issue, with rural populations disproportionately affected. Targeted, context-specific interventions addressing key drivers such as distorted risk perception, fear of adverse effects and distrust in vaccines are critical for improving vaccination rates These findings underscore the importance of tailored public health strategies to promote equitable vaccine uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In 2012, California instituted a new requirement for parents to consult with a clinician before receiving a personal belief exemption (PBE) to its school entry vaccine mandate. In 2015, the state removed this exemption altogether. In 2019, legislators cracked down on medical exemptions to address their misuse by vaccine refusers and supportive clinicians. This article uses "policy feedback theory" to explore these political conflicts, arguing that PBEs informed the emergence and approaches of two coalitions whose conflict reshaped California's vaccination policies. Methods: The authors analyzed legal, policy, academic, and media documents; interviewed 10 key informants; and deductively analyzed transcripts using NVivo 20 transcription software. Findings: California's long-standing vaccination policy inadvertently disseminated two fundamentally incompatible social norms: vaccination is a choice, and vaccination is not a choice. Over time, the culture and number of vaccine refusers grew, at least in part because the state's policy sanctioned the norm of vaccine refusal. Conclusions: The long-term consequences of California's "mandate + PBE" policy—visible, public, and socially sanctioned vaccine refusal—undermined support for it over time, generating well-defined losses for a large group of people (the vaccinating public) and specifically for the provaccine parent activists whose experiences of personal grievance drove their mobilization for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to examine the impacts of COVID-19 vaccines on mental health and relationships between psychological factors and vaccine acceptance in Turkey during the early pandemic period. The study included 1042 adults (70.9% females) with a mean age of 29.55 (SD = 10.29). The results showed that vaccinated participants had lower levels of COVID-19-induced anxiety and depression, and higher levels of life satisfaction compared to those without the vaccine. Furthermore, we found that COVID-19-induced anxiety and protective behaviours towards COVID-19 significantly increased the probability of vaccine acceptance, while depression significantly decreased it. Accordingly, governments should consider the mental health consequences of vaccination, as well as vaccine acceptance and refusal. More attention should be paid to psychological factors associated with attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Global COVID-19 vaccination effort faces the challenges of vaccine hesitancy and resistance, rooted in misinformation and institutional distrust. Addressing these barriers with customized messaging is essential, yet the relationship between vaccine hesitancy and other health-seeking behaviors, like COVID-19 testing, has been underexplored. Method: This study assessed COVID-19 vaccine uptake in Southeastern Louisiana across 10 pharmacies and clinics in areas with historically high rates of COVID-19 infection. Using a longitudinal cohort design from Fall 2022 through Fall 2023, a total of 377 participants from diverse backgrounds were surveyed while seeking routine care at partner organizations. Baseline data was collected on demographics, vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and test-seeking behaviors. Information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination were self-reported and verified, as applicable, in the patient's medical records. All data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, log-binomial to yield risk ratios, and an ordinal logistic regression for vaccine series completion. Results: Among the 377 participants, 207 were unvaccinated while 170 received the vaccine. Among the unvaccinated individuals, 53 received a half-dose, 97 a full dose, and 14 a booster. Notably, 75% of unvaccinated and 89% of vaccinated participants underwent COVID-19 testing. Individuals who were tested were 1.71 times more likely to be vaccinated (95% CI 1.03, 2.84), while previous vaccine refusal was associated with lower vaccine acceptance (0.77; 95% CI 0.54, 1.09). In the bivariate and multivariate analysis, COVID-19 testing behavior was positively associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. Conclusions: Exploring the connection between COVID-19 testing and vaccination provides valuable insights for future public health messaging to mitigate vaccine hesitancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Balikesir Health Sciences Journal / Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Balikesir Health Sciences Journal (BAUN Health Sci J) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Pediatric Infection / Çocuk Enfeksiyon Dergisi is the property of Journal of Pediatric Infection / Cocuk Enfeksiyon Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common cause. Older adults are particularly at risk. However, vaccination rates in Thailand remain low. Objective: This study aims to examine the prevalence of vaccine refusal and its association with factors outlined in the 5C model (Confidence, Complacency, Constraints, Calculation, and Collective Responsibility) among older patients with morbidities. Setting: Study was conducted at outpatient clinic of the Department of Family Medicine, Chiang Mai University. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study. The data was collected via a self-administered questionnaire including demographic data, questionnaire in 5C model, and intention to received pneumococcal vaccine. Comparison of characteristic between vaccine refuser and non-refuser was performed by using Chi-square or a T -test. To explore the association between factors in 5C model and vaccine refusal, multiple logistic regression was performed with an adjustment for confounders. Results: From a total of 150 participants, the mean age was 69.8 ± 5.6 years old. Most of the patients were female (60.7%). The study found that 18% of the participants refused the pneumococcal vaccine. After adjusted for the confounders, the lower collective responsibility and confidence were significantly associated with vaccine refusal (Odds ratio 0.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.74, P =.015) and Odds ratio 0.43 (95% CI 0.20-0.89, P =.024), respectively. Conclusion: Strategies to enhance confidence and address complacency about vaccines are essential for improving pneumococcal vaccination coverage. This insight can be used as a guideline and policies can be formulated which are aimed at reducing pneumococcal vaccine refusal in the older adults by enhancing communication about the benefits, efficacy, and risks of vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has found that vaccine-promoting messages can elicit state reactance (i.e., negative emotions in response to a perceived threat to behavioral freedom), especially among individuals with high trait reactance (i.e., proneness to experiencing reactance). This can result in a lower willingness to accept vaccines. We investigated whether inoculation against reactance – that is, forewarning individuals about potentially experiencing reactance – can reduce the effects of trait reactance on vaccination willingness. Participants (N = 710) recruited through Facebook were randomly allocated to be either inoculated or not. They were then shown a message promoting a fictitious vaccine, which included either a low, medium, or high threat to freedom. Contrary to research on other health topics, inoculation was ineffective at reducing state reactance toward the vaccination message. Inoculation also did not mitigate the effects of trait reactance on vaccination willingness, and was even counterproductive in some cases. High-reactant individuals were less willing to get vaccinated than low-reactant ones, especially at high freedom threat. Conversely, high freedom threat resulted in increased vaccination willingness among low-reactant individuals. Further research is needed to understand why inoculation against reactance produces different results with vaccination, and to develop communication strategies that mitigate reactance to vaccination campaigns without compromising the positive effects of vaccine recommendations for low-reactant individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While evidence of efficacy, safety, and technical feasibility is crucial when introducing a vaccine, it is equally important to consider the psychological, social, and political factors influencing vaccine acceptance. This study aims to identify the factors contributing to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adults in Tehran, Iran. Methods: The study employed a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional design carried out from 2021 to 2022. It involved 260 eligible individuals residing in the catchment areas of Tehran and Shahid Beheshti Universities of Medical Sciences who declined to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, selected through systematic sampling. Data collection was accomplished through a researcher-developed questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 26 software. The analysis utilized descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests including Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Multiple Linear Regression, to examine the relationships between variables. Results: The average scores (SD) across dimensions were as follows: the individual's health status and perceived risk, 15.53 (1.70); contextual and social effects, 17.68 (2.53); awareness, 14.81 (2.34); and beliefs and concerns. 14.91 (2.64), indicating a concerning situation regarding contextual and social impacts and a moderate status as to other areas. The primary reasons for vaccine refusal included fear, lack of belief in the vaccine, concerns about its reliability, illness, and lack of access or time. Acceptance of the vaccine was associated with education, occupation, marital status, number of children at home, and income reduction due to COVID-19. Conclusion: The findings indicate that fear, lack of belief in the vaccine, concerns regarding its reliability, illness, and lack of access or time were the most important factors influencing reluctance to receive the vaccine. Health organizations should consider these factors when encouraging the population to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination is the cheapest, safest, and most successful public health approach to protect children's health and prevent infectious diseases. High vaccination rates ensure community immunity and prevent epidemics. A drop in immunization rates below 95% can lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly measles, as well as increased morbidity and mortality. With the recent emergence of vaccine hesitancy (VH) and vaccine refusal (VR) concepts, especially in developed countries, the number of unvaccinated children is increasing both in our country and around the world. Vaccine hesitancy stems from many personal and environmental reasons, as well as sociocultural, environmental, economic, and political reasons. Lack of information about vaccines, fear of side effects, concerns about vaccine efficacy and safety, the idea that vaccines are harmful, anti-vaccine publications on the internet and social media, belief in natural immunity, and religious reasons are seen as the most common reasons for VH and VR in different studies. Raising awareness in society about the importance and necessity of vaccination, identifying the factors that lead to VH, and producing solutions are among the primary measures to be taken. Healthcare personnel play a very important role in the fight against vaccine hesitancy. It is important to establish good, effective, and trusting communication with vaccine-hesitant parents. Recently, in addition to vaccine refusal cases, the number of families refusing vitamin K and heel blood sampling has been increasing. Vaccine refusal, and refusal of health care services will increase neonatal and childhood morbidity and mortality. Legal measures should be taken to protect the best interests of the child. Valid and reliable scales that evaluate parents' vaccine acceptance and hesitancy will be a source of information in the fight against vaccine hesitancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the advent of vaccines against COVID‐19, there is considerable variation in the acceptance and hesitancy towards the vaccination program across different countries. The objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of hesitancy and acceptance regarding the use of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID‐19, and to identify the factors that influence these attitudes. Materials and Methods: All the cross‐sectional studies were retrieved from the PubMed databases, the Web of Science ISI, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Papers published in English between 2 November 2019 and 23 May 2023 were subjected to further assessment based on their title, abstract, and main text, with a view to ensuring their relevance to the present study. Results: Following an exhaustive investigation, 59 studies were selected for screening in this systematic review. The most frequently employed method of data collection was the online survey. The study sample comprised 59.12% women and 40.88% men, with ages ranging from 16 to 78 years. The proportion of individuals accepting the vaccine ranged from 13% to 96%, while the proportion of those exhibiting hesitancy ranged from 0% to 57.5%. The primary reasons for accepting the COIVD‐19 vaccine were a heightened perception of risk associated with the virus and a general trust in the healthcare system. The most frequently cited reasons for vaccine hesitancy in the context of the ongoing pandemic include concerns about the potential dangers of the vaccines, the rapid pace of their development, the possibility of adverse effects (such as infertility or death), and the assumption that they have been designed to inject microchips. Discussion: A variety of socio‐demographic factors are implicated in determining the rate of vaccine acceptance. A number of socio‐demographic factors have been identified as influencing vaccine acceptance. These include high income, male gender, older age, marriage, the presence of older children who have been vaccinated and do not have chronic diseases, high education, and health insurance coverage. Conclusion: Eliminating vaccine hesitancy or increasing vaccine acceptance is a crucial factor that should be addressed through various means and in collaboration with regulatory and healthcare organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess Ghanaian parental attitudes toward a new malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, and its associated determinants. A cross-sectional survey was conducted anonymously in July and August 2023 using snowball and convenience sampling techniques, using the Parental Attitude about Children Vaccination Scale. A total of 818 individuals were included, 67.2% were females, their median age was 32 years, and 29.01% were hesitant to vaccinate their children. People living in forests, with younger children, having the youngest child aged 1–3 years, skipping antenatal care or scheduled vaccinations, and not being willing to give the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to children, were vaccine-hesitant. However, healthcare workers, those having a relative who died from malaria, and those who vaccinated their child against malaria were less hesitant. A large sector of parents expressed willingness to vaccinate their children against malaria. Addressing parental hesitancy requires intervention programs targeting the identified factors and enhancing parental knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article articulates the intersection of wellness communities and anti-vaccine ('anti-vax') groups to demonstrate how vaccine misinformation and pseudoscience can propagate. This misinformation is often pushed by wellness influencers. One recent example is wellness figure Pete Evans, a celebrity chef and self-described 'qualified health coach'. By 2020, however, Evans had developed anti-vax views and began to promote fake COVID cures, anti-vax misinformation, and COVID conspiracy theories from QAnon. This contribution examines this overlap to demonstrate how wellness influencers spread misinformation that fuel vaccine hesitancy. Evans is just one example; journalists have reported on yoga teachers in California protesting against lockdowns and on wellness influencers claiming that a '"shadowy cabal" of scientists and companies' were responsible for COVID. These examples demonstrate how community intersections can amplify misinformation, pseudoscience and anti-vax views to a motivated and highly receptive audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important components of public health are the clean water, sanitation and immunization against preventable diseases through vaccination. Vaccination programs are one of the most important and cost effective intervention prevention that elimination of infectious diseases, reducing the morbidity and mortality of diseases, and the development of a healthy society. The aim of this programs, which took its final form published in 2008 in our country, that is 'The main purpose of immunization services is to prevent the emergence of preventable diseases in the society, especially infants and children, and therefore to prevent deaths and disabilities caused by these diseases, and the main goal is not to leave unvaccinated children'. Rejection or delay in accepting vaccines despite accessible vaccination services is defined as vaccine refusal. Vaccine hesitations and refusals, which are known to increase gradually over time that are an important threat at the global level according to the World Health Organization and are among the most important public health problems. Reasons related to communication and media tools, individual and group effects, vaccine and vaccination effects are the most important topics that affect vaccine acceptance. In this regard, it is very important to determine the causes and to make plans for the cause. Today, one of the primary goals of public health and health providers is seen as increasing health literacy and improving health communication. Although the legal regulations to be made will lead to positive increases, the main goal should be to increase the health literacy of the people and to develop their self-responsibility through correct communication methods. Thus, in this review, it was aimed to review the results about vaccine refusal, causes of vaccine refusal and effects of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the attitudes of healthcare workers towards COVID‐19 vaccines. Design: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted between October and November 2021, with a total of 30 nurses from different contexts in Northern Italy. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Results: Three main themes were identified: 'favourable', 'unsure' and 'contrary to' COVID‐19 vaccines. The favourable position was underpinned by trust in science, research and vaccination; protection for themselves, their families, patients and the population; duty as professionals; necessity to set an example for others. Participants who were unsure had doubts about the composition, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and were sometimes afraid that media provided incomplete information. The main reason why nurses were against was the feeling that being forced to vaccinate perceived as blackmail. Favourable or unsure nurses struggled to deal with those who were against and developed a series of emotions that ranged from respect and attempt to rationalize, to frustration and defeat. Conclusions: Identifying the areas of hesitation is essential to understand what affects the choices of acceptance, delay or refusal of vaccination. The issues that emerged regarding proper communication within the vaccination campaign highlights the key importance of adequate vaccination strategies. Implication for the Profession and/or Patient Care: Understanding attitudes towards vaccine and related motivations among healthcare workers could help develop more specific and targeted vaccination campaigns that can ensure proper vaccination coverage rates and avoid hesitancy or refusal. Impact: Healthcare workers experiences of COVID‐19 vaccines, their views and know how they feel during COVID‐19 vaccinations.Healthcare workers had three different positions in COVID‐19 vaccination.This research will guide and target future vaccination campaigns. Reporting Method: The study is reported using the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

(1) Background: Vaccination represents one of the most successful interventions worldwide in the field of public health. Immunization is one of the measures with the best results, being extremely efficient compared to all associated costs. Being a preventive measure, immunization relies entirely on the acceptance, understanding, and trust of those who use this service. The purpose of this study is to gather as much data as possible regarding the general opinion parents have regarding vaccines and the vaccination of their children; (2) Methods: For the purpose of this study, a cross-sectional survey was used through the application of a questionnaire employed as a research instrument, consisting of 35 questions. The questionnaires were physically distributed to family medicine cabinets for parents to complete, and the data collection period was throughout the months of May, June, and July of 2022. A total of 200 questionnaires were obtained, and their results were analyzed; (3) Results: The study was conducted on 200 respondents. Approximately two-thirds of the surveyed parents believe that all vaccines are necessary and of great importance. The reasons why parents do not accept certain vaccines were also evaluated within the questionnaire. Many respondents agreed that fear of possible severe adverse effects, as well as lack of correct information about vaccines, are the main issues leading to vaccine refusal. With the data we have gathered, we were able to track the general opinion of parents regarding vaccination, their level of information, the risks they express concern about, the relationship between parents and doctors regarding the vaccination process of their child, as well as their level of confidence in the effectiveness of vaccines; (4) Conclusions: From the general opinion on vaccines, it emerges that they are considered highly important and necessary by the majority of parents. Almost all respondents are interested in accumulating as much information as possible about vaccination. The majority of parents have adhered to vaccination norms, and their children either have received vaccines from the National Immunization Program (NIP) or are scheduled to receive them. The risk of adverse effects remains the primary concern of parents. Parents' trust in vaccination continues to be a key element in understanding their attitude towards the entire immunization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccine hesitancy was a major challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. A common but sometimes ineffective intervention to reduce vaccine hesitancy involves providing information on vaccine effectiveness, side effects, and related probabilities. Could biased processing of this information contribute to vaccine refusal? We examined the information inspection of 1200 U.S. participants with anti-vaccination, neutral, or pro-vaccination attitudes before they stated their willingness to accept eight different COVID-19 vaccines. All participants—particularly those who were anti-vaccination—frequently ignored some of the information. This deliberate ignorance, especially toward probabilities of extreme side effects, was a stronger predictor of vaccine refusal than typically investigated demographic variables. Computational modeling suggested that vaccine refusals among anti-vaccination participants were driven by ignoring even inspected information. In the neutral and pro-vaccination groups, vaccine refusal was driven by distorted processing of side effects and their probabilities. Our findings highlight the necessity for interventions tailored to individual information-processing tendencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing for the new school year is an exciting and busy time. An important task for parents and caregivers during the back-to-school season is to ensure that their child or adolescent is up to date with their vaccines. NPs play a vital role in guiding parents and caregivers through the vaccination process, thereby ensuring that school-aged children and adolescents' health requirements are met. This article provides NPs with resources to assist in making decisions about child and adolescent immunizations. It also explores effective communication strategies to convey the benefits of vaccination to parents and caregivers, equipping NPs with the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate vaccination complexities and advocate for the health and safety of school-aged children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compatibility of mandatory vaccinations with human rights has become a very current issue with the COVID-19 pandemic and the Vavřička ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. This ruling has faced criticism for not conducting examinations related to disease and vaccines based on direct scientific evidence. In this analysis, an assessment will be made based on direct scientific evidence about tetanus and its vaccine. The prevailing reason for mandatory tetanus vaccination is to protect the health of the vaccinated individual. Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment. This rule also applies to preventive medical interventions, including tetanus vaccination. As a rule, parents are entitled to give consent for medical interventions on their children. If an immediate and serious threat permanently endangers the minor’s life, medical intervention can be carried out against the parents’ will. The limitation of parental autonomy is more disputed when the minor’s life is not immediately threatened. With respect to tetanus vaccination as a preventive medical intervention, it does not eliminate an immediate and serious risk of harm. As a result, interference with the parent’s discretion on tetanus vaccination as a preventive medical intervention should be evaluated for its compatibility with the current legal approach to medical interventions on minors and patient rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease, in children as well as adults. We studied COVID-19 vaccination coverage among children, parental COVID-19 vaccination intent for their children and determinants of vaccination among children to inform communication strategies. We invited parents of children aged 6 months–11 years in Munich, Germany, to an anonymous online survey between 13.10.2022 and 15.01.2023. Parents reported COVID-19 vaccination status and, for unvaccinated children, vaccination intent per child. We determined vaccination coverage (≥ 1 dose) and parental intent, and subsequently used logistic regression to identify determinants of vaccination, including the 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination (confidence, complacency, constraints, calculation, collective responsibility). In total, 339 parents reported on 591 children. Vaccination coverage was 7% (6/86) amongst 6-months–4-year-olds and 59% (295/498) amongst 5–11-year-olds. For unvaccinated 6-months–4-year-olds, 31% of parents reported high, 13% medium, 56% low vaccination intent; for 5–11-year-olds 8% reported high, 20% medium, 71% low intent. Positive determinants of vaccination were older child age, child belonging to a clinically vulnerable group, as well as parental COVID-19 vaccination, higher education level, country of birth Germany, and high level of trust in official guidelines; a negative determinant was previous vaccination refusal. For 5–11-year-olds, additional positive determinants were higher confidence and lower complacency. Conclusion: While a substantial proportion of 5–11-year-olds were vaccinated against COVID-19, coverage was low among 6-months–4-year-olds. Parental vaccination intent for unvaccinated children was low. Vaccination communication should take into account parental socio-demographic characteristics and specifically address individual risks and benefits of child vaccination. What is Known: • COVID-19 vaccination lowers severe disease risk in all ages. • Germany recommends vaccination for 5–11-years-olds since December 2021 and for 6 months–4 year-olds since November 2022. What is New: • In Munich, vaccine uptake was high in 5–11-year-olds but parental intent for not yet vaccinated children was low; the opposite was the case for 6-months–4-year-olds; vaccination determinants were eligibility, parental education, birth country and general vaccination hesitancy; psychological antecedents were confidence and complacency. • Tailored interventions should address guidelines, health literacy, cultural sensitivity, and boost confidence in vaccines and institutions while raising awareness of COVID-19 risks for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are both theoretical accounts and empirical evidence for the fact that, in health communication, narratives (story telling) may have a persuasive advantage when compared with information (the provision of facts). The dominant explanation for this potential advantage is that narratives inhibit people's resistance to persuasion, particularly in the form of counterarguing. Evidence in this area to date has most often been gathered through lab or field experiments. In the current study we took a novel approach, gathering our data from naturally-occurring, non-experimental and organically evolving online interactions about vaccinations. We focus on five threads from the parenting forum Mumsnet Talk that centered on indecision about the HPV vaccination. Our analysis revealed that narratives and information were used by posters in similar quantities as a means of providing vaccination-related advice. We also found similar frequencies of direct engagement with both narratives and information. However, our findings showed that narratives resulted in a significantly higher proportion of posts exhibiting supportive engagement, whereas information resulted in posts exhibiting a significantly higher proportion of challenges, including counterarguing and other manifestations of posters' resistance to persuasion. The proportions of supportive versus challenging engagement also varied depending on the topic and vaccine stance of narratives. Notwithstanding contextual explanations for these patterns, our findings, based on this original approach of using naturalistic data, provide a novel kind of evidence for the potential of narratives to inhibit counterarguing in authentic health-related discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gumushane Universty Electronic Journal of the Faculty of Communication / Gümüshane Üniversitesi Iletisim Fakültesi Elektronik Dergisi is the property of Gumushane Universitesi Iletisim Fakultesi Elektronik Dergisi (e-GIFDER) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study analyzed 1432 questions asked in 19 surveys (N = 43,014) on COVID-19 vaccines between January 2020 and August 2022 using dimensions including (1) information sources about COVID-19 vaccine, (2) information about the access, effectiveness, and side effects of COVID-19 vaccine, (3) COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (i.e. false perception, skepticism, and vaccine refusal), (4) motivations to get the COVID-19 vaccine (i.e. to perform routine activities, convenience, incentives, influences, and travel requirement), (5) false perceptions caused vaccine refusal, and (6) intentions to get vaccinated. Our results show that vaccine refusal was rampant throughout the pandemic and mostly attributed to the rush in the vaccine development process and perceived safety risks. Additionally, our analysis indicates that people’s motivation to get vaccinated came from varied sources such as doctors, family members, and politicians. Lastly, mandating vaccines during the pandemic did not significantly increase uptake among individuals who were initially skeptical, and concerns about the rapid development of the vaccine were a major cause of vaccine hesitancy. Findings were discussed and interpreted using the information deficit model, the two-step flow theory, and the reactance theory. This research provides valuable insights and practical implications, along with significant theoretical contributions and policy recommendations.

Objective: Vaccines are the most effective tools in preventing childhood infectious diseases. Parents’ knowledge and attitudes about vaccines are fundamental factors influencing vaccination rates. While there are numerous studies about mothers, research examining fathers’ knowledge and attitudes on vaccines is limited. Our study aims to assess fathers’ knowledge and attitudes about vaccines administered in our country, determine their approach to vaccination, and understand their views on vaccine hesitancy. Methods: A cross-sectional and analytical study evaluating fathers’ knowledge and attitudes about vaccines was conducted between May and July 2022 among fathers visiting the pediatric clinic. After obtaining ethical approval, fathers were administered a questionnaire covering sociodemographic information, income, education level, number of children, fathers’ vaccine attitude, knowledge level, and non-routine vaccine considerations to assess their knowledge and attitudes about vaccines. Results: While 33% of participating fathers considered their vaccine knowledge good, 14.1% didn’t know their children’s vaccines, and 23% were unaware of vaccination timing. The majority of fathers used healthcare institutions and physicians for information about vaccines. While 17.3% experienced hesitancy about vaccinating their children, none outright refused. The most common reason for vaccine hesitancy (78.1%) was the fear of vaccine side effects. As parental education levels increased, the positive attitudes of fathers towards childhood vaccinations also increased. Conclusion: Vaccination plays a crucial role in maintaining public health. Providing accurate information to families is important to reduce vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccination rates. Healthcare professionals offering reliable information is an effective factor in fostering positive attitudes toward vaccines and increasing vaccination rates.

Background Despite the availability of a vaccine to combat COVID-19 disease, vaccine hesitancy is still a major concern, notably in countries with developing healthcare systems such as Pakistan. Hence, this study considered the rationale for vaccine hesitancy in Pakistani university students and support staff, and the impact of gender, age, and education on vaccination hesitancy. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with randomly selected university students and supportive staff. An anonymous questionnaire collected data covering socio-demographic characteristics, vaccination status, current beliefs, and past vaccination history. Responses were assessed using descriptive analysis (p-value estimation and correlation/regression) and machine learning models applied to classify individuals based on their acceptance or vaccine hesitancy behavior and then used to predict the important variables associated with vaccine hesitancy. Results The survey of 847 participants revealed that 43% were vaccinated and 57% were vaccine hesitant; of which 37%, 38%, and 25% had safety and efficacy concerns, were afraid of side effects, or exhibited other complacency behavior regarding vaccination, respectively. Non-university educated people were significantly more hesitant than university-educated people (p = 0.033). Vaccine refusal was significantly higher in students than in supportive staff (p = 0.01). Correlation analysis revealed a strong association between key independent variables (the fear of side effects, mistrusted information, and low perceived disease risk without vaccination) and vaccine acceptance (dependent variable), as revealed by linear regression and a Structure Model Equation. Machine learning classified vaccine-hesitant and vaccine-acceptant individuals with commutative accuracy of 96% and 97%, respectively, using random forest and logistic regression. Logistic regression identified five predictors for vaccine hesitancy: low perceived disease risk without vaccination, mistrusted information, the fear of side effects, occupation, and education. Conclusion Education campaigns that cover the safety, efficacy, and importance of vaccination are needed to increase vaccination take-up to protect from COVID-19 disease.

AbstractCount data with complex features arise in many disciplines, including ecology, agriculture, criminology, medicine, and public health. Zero inflation, spatial dependence, and non-equidispersion are common features in count data. There are currently two classes of models that allow for these features—the mode-parameterized Conway–Maxwell–Poisson (COMP) distribution and the generalized Poisson model. However both require the use of either constraints on the parameter space or a parameterization that leads to challenges in interpretability. We propose spatial mean-parameterized COMP models that retain the flexibility of these models while resolving the above issues. We use a Bayesian spatial filtering approach in order to efficiently handle high-dimensional spatial data and we use reversible-jump MCMC to automatically choose the basis vectors for spatial filtering. The COMP distribution poses two additional computational challenges—an intractable normalizing function in the likelihood and no closed-form expression for the mean. We propose a fast computational approach that addresses these challenges by, respectively, introducing an efficient auxiliary variable algorithm and pre-computing key approximations for fast likelihood evaluation. We illustrate the application of our methodology to simulated and real datasets, including Texas HPV-cancer data and US vaccine refusal data. Supplementary materials for this article are available online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mothers play a crucial role in influencing their daughters' HPV vaccination decisions. Addressing barriers to receiving HPV vaccination among mothers of girls may achieve two goals in one strike: increasing vaccination coverage among both mothers and their daughters. This study aims to examine the HPV vaccination uptake and its determinants among mothers of girls in China at both the individual and interpersonal levels. Methods: From July to October 2023, a cross-sectional online study was conducted to investigate HPV vaccine refusal for daughters aged 9–17 years among 11,678 mothers in Shenzhen, China. A randomized selection method was employed, targeting 11 primary schools and 13 secondary schools in Shenzhen. The research team invited mothers of girls to participate in an anonymous online survey. Multilevel logistic regression models (level 1: schools; level 2: individual participants) were employed to analyze the data. Results: Among 11,678 mothers, 41.1% self-reported receiving at least one dose of HPV vaccination. Through multilevel logistic regression analysis, eight items measuring illness representations of HPV, which refers to how people think about HPV, were associated with higher HPV vaccination uptake (AOR: 1.02–1.14). These items included identity (identifying symptoms of HPV), timeline (whether HPV is acute/chronic), negative consequences, personal and treatment control (whether HPV is under volitional control), concern, negative emotions, and coherence (overall understanding of HPV). In addition, participants refusing HPV vaccines for the index daughters (AOR: 0.82, 95%CI: 0.76, 0.89) had lower vaccine uptake. Perceived more difficulties in accessing the 9-valent vaccines (AOR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.08) and more satisfaction with vaccine-related promotional materials (AOR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.46, 1.54) at the individual level were associated with higher vaccine uptake. At the interpersonal factors, higher frequency of exposure to testimonials given by others about HPV vaccination on social media (AOR: 1.19, 95%CI: 1.14, 1.25) and thoughtful consideration of the veracity of the information (AOR: 1.11, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.16) were correlated with higher HPV vaccination uptake. Conclusions: These findings offer essential implications for modifying HPV disease perceptions, addressing difficulties in accessing the 9-valent HPV vaccines, and enhancing health communication needs to improve HPV vaccine uptake among mothers of girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is a major public health challenge with the potential to prevent communities from achieving the coverage level necessary for herd immunity against the COVID-19 virus. Objective/aim: The study determined COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and associated factors among residents of the Afadzato South District of Ghana. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 respondents aged 18 years and above using a self-administered and interviewer administered structured questionnaires for persons who could read and with no formal education respectively. The study was conducted and reported in line with the Strobe statement for cross sectional studies. Data analysis was done using the Stata-17.0 software. The association between the dependent and independent variables was examined using a logistic regression analysis, with a p-value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: More than half of the respondents (n = 291, 68.96%) were below 25 years old. Majority of the respondents were females (n = 218, 51.66%) and had attained secondary education (n = 291, 68.96%). Less than half of the respondents 35.5% (151) indicated acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and more than half (n = 271, 64.22%) indicated non-acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. The results showed that education level, information source, overall knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine, and misconception of COVID-19 vaccine were significantly associated with acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusion: The study found high vaccine hesitancy among the respondents. Important significant predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were education level, information source, overall knowledge of COVID-19 vaccine, and misconception of COVID-19 vaccine. In the attempt to address vaccine hesitancy by health agencies, it is important to take into consideration the varying educational backgrounds of the population in context and their diversified sources of information. This may ensure that everyone in the community is reached with important information on COVID-19 and its vaccines to reduce misconceptions and misinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In 2021, French health authorities strongly promoted vaccination against COVID-19. The authors assumed that refusing this vaccine became a stigma, and they investigated potential public stigma toward unvaccinated people among the French population. Methods: A representative sample of the French adult population (N = 2,015) completed an online questionnaire in September 2021. The authors focused on participants who were already vaccinated against COVID-19 or intended to get vaccinated (N = 1,742). A cluster analysis was used to obtain contrasted attitudinal profiles, and the authors investigated associated factors with logistic regressions. Findings: Regarding attitudes toward unvaccinated people, a majority of respondents supported several pejorative statements, and a significant minority also endorsed social rejection attitudes. The authors found four contrasting attitudinal profiles: moral condemnation only (32% of respondents), full stigma (26%), no stigma (26%), and stigma rejection (16%). Early vaccination, civic motives for it, faith in science, rejection of political extremes, and being aged 65 or older were the main factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes toward unvaccinated people. Conclusions: The authors found some evidence of stigmatization toward unvaccinated people, but further research is needed, especially to investigate perceived stigmatization among them. The authors discuss their results with reference to the concept of "folk devils" and from a public health perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Health Academy Kastamonu / Sağlık Akademisi Kastamonu is the property of Health Academy Kastamonu / Saglik Akademisi Kastamonu and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for over 2 years and has resulted in more than 486 million cases and over 6 million deaths worldwide. Pregnant women are a special group of society exposed to severe or unpredictable course of infection. Purpose of work: Assessment of awareness and willingness to vaccinate pregnant women against COVID-19 and reasons influencing this decision. Materials and methods: The proprietary online survey addressed to women in Poland during pregnancy and women who were pregnant in the period from December 27, 2020 (introduction of the vaccine in Poland) to 20.03.2022. The study included a total of 518 respondents of reproductive age, among which 398 have a university degree and 108 have secondary education. 376 respondents got vaccinated against COVID-19 -- 120 before getting pregnant, 199 during pregnancy and 57 after giving birth. Summary: Most of the surveyed women (321) hadn't had a positive PCR test for COVID-19 until the day of the survey, but 38% had a positive PCR test. Asked about reasons for getting vaccinated during pregnancy, most of the respondents stated that people should get vaccinated against COVID-19 in general, they got vaccinated because of the baby's health, and that they acted according to the recommendations of The Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians and the World's Health Organization. On the other hand, most of the women didn't get vaccinated because they were afraid of the side effects, there is not enough research on the topic, and they believe that the vaccination is ineffective. Additionally, 154 respondents were encouraged by the doctors to get vaccinated in opposite to 21 who were discouraged by the doctor. The majority of the respondents are aware of the great risk of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. Therefore, they got vaccinated against COVID-19 to minimize the risks of the infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a questionnaire, this study investigated the numerous factors affecting the Jordanian population's rejection of COVID-19 vaccines. The data were collected in 2020 to 2021. Using the chi-square test, t -test, Cramer's V -test, and analysis of variance, we found that most of the Sample (72.6%) obtained information on COVID-19 and its vaccines from social media, radio, and television. In comparison, 31.1% and 35.4% of the Sample obtained from government/official sources or health specialists, respectively, with a lesser share relying on colleagues (13.7%) and scientific lectures (17.5%). Furthermore, depending on the participants' characteristics, there were significant differences in the information sources or abstinence factors. Several factors were associated with vaccine refusal and hesitancy, including contradictory/conflicting information, lack of trust in vaccines/manufacturers, doubt about the vaccines' effectiveness, and the belief that the risks of COVID-19 are minimal. Based on these findings, we present several recommendations for policymakers. Plain Language Summary: Vaccine Refusal Factors associated with vaccination refusal among a sample of the Jordanian population This study aimed to comprehend what causes Jordanians to refuse vaccinations. Most participants of the present study learned about COVID-19 and vaccines from radio, television, and social media. Fewer of them turned to official and professional sources. Conflicting information about COVID-19, skepticism about the effectiveness of vaccines and potential side effects, skepticism toward vaccine manufacturers and media sources, uncertainty regarding the efficacy of vaccines, and mistrust in information sources regarding the virus and vaccines have led to confusion and resistance to following health recommendations. These factors resulted in vaccine rejection by considerable percentages of the Jordanian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of the HPV vaccine in Brazil was initially well received, achieving a high national coverage rate in the first half of 2014. Despite the efforts of the Ministry of Health, a significant decline in uptake was observed over the subsequent six months, with the causes still under investigation. Given the influence of the print media, this study aims to describe the discursive strategies used in the narratives conveyed by the print media in order to elucidate their role in shaping public debate during the introduction of the HPV vaccine between 2014 and 2018. The methodology adopted was qualitative, involving a discourse analysis of articles and texts published in the print media, as well as the statements from professional organisations featured in various journalistic reports. Additionally, a public action filed by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office against the HPV vaccine, which received substantial media coverage, was included as a source of analysis. The findings revealed the discursive strategies employed by both proponents and opponents of the vaccine. The public debate was predominantly centred around issues of effectiveness, safety, and economic costs, with each side offering its own interpretation of the existing scientific evidence. However, despite the wealth of data and scientific evidence available, the media debate did not explore the controversial and critical aspects of vaccination. The study concluded that the media struggled to distinguish between science and pseudoscience, converting scientific evidence into opinion. It missed the opportunity to contribute to clarifying the effectiveness and safety of the public health strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the COVID-19 pandemic reached its second year, and vaccine mandates to return to work or school became a contested debate among leaders in health care organizations and universities, nursing academic and hospital leadership had to consider which health and safety requirements, including COVID-19 vaccines, were needed to return students, nurses, and nurse faculty to more typical clinical and classroom activities. In this context, this mixed-methods study surveyed and analyzed data from a large national sample of students, nurses, and faculty about their vaccine status, and reasons for their decisions to be vaccinated or not. Study findings point clearly to the need for better messaging in all public health campaigns, emphasizing the protection of others as the strongest predictor for vaccine uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern world, vaccination is the most effective and evidence-based method of preventing the onset and severity of infectious diseases. Today, the WHO has identified vaccine hesitancy as a global public health threat [25]. The social and cultural background of people influences their perception of vaccines, which prompted us to investigate this problem. Aim. To study the influence of sociodemographic factors on vaccination attitudes of children and adults in the central and western regions of Ukraine. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included a survey of the population of different social status. The study was conducted in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the bioethics committee. We also analyzed literature data from PubMed, Medscape and CSC. The work was performed within the framework of the research project 0122U000039 «Improvement of methods of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the most common diseases of childhood». No conflicts of interest exist. Research results and discussion. 1000 respondents were interviewed by questionnaire from Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kirovograd, Khmelnytsky, Zhytomyr, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Rivne, Volyn, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv regions. The data obtained indicate that barriers to vaccination are caused by low awareness of vaccination, excessive negative influence of opinion leaders, prevalence of myths and falsifications about vaccination, lack of health care resources and low supply of recommended vaccines, and forced migration. Low awareness and low vaccination coverage are also associated with low awareness among health workers who do not work directly with vaccines, falsification of vaccination data, and the presence of anti-vaccine health workers. The negative attitude of parents towards vaccination is also very important, as it affects their children. Conclusions. 1. Fear of side effects, long-term complications, and doubts about the quality of vaccines have been identified as factors in vaccine refusal. 2. The most common groups of vaccine refusers are the elderly (53.3 %) and men (16.8 %). 3. The high cost of vaccines that are not included in the list of mandatory vaccines is one of the reasons for the decrease in vaccination rates. 4. Improved communication between the doctor and the patient is one of the factors increasing the vaccination rate among the population. 5. Information about the availability of vaccines and places of vaccination, peculiarities of the post-vaccination period and information about the possible consequences of ignoring vaccination should be provided in the media (television, radio), especially among the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the world causing serious morbidity and mortality. Health care professionals (HCP) are on the front line in the face of this pandemic and are identified as priorities for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to estimate the acceptability rate of the COVID-19 vaccination among HCP and to identify their predisposing factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire including a randomized sample of HCP in Southern Tunisia, on March–April 2021. Results: Among 300 participants, the COVID-19 vaccine acceptability rate was 65.3%. Factors independently associated with vaccine acceptability were age groups <30 years [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=4.36; p = 0.002)], urbanity of residence (AOR = 3.44; p = 0.027), medical professional category (AOR = 2.69; p = 0.023) and caring for coronavirus infected patients (AOR = 2.32; p = 0.047). Belief that COVID-19 vaccination is important to work safely as a health care provider (AOR = 3.26; p = 0.013), should be available for all HCP (AOR = 17.98; p = 0.004) and has been quickly developed before it has been thoroughly vetted and tested for efficacy and safety (AOR = 5.88; p < 0.01) were independently associated with willingness to accept vaccine. Planning to get a COVID-19 vaccine for the next years and recommending it to the family were independent predictive factors of accepting COVID-19 vaccine ((AOR = 6.88; p < 0.001) and (AOR = 25.03; p < 0.001), respectively).Conclusion: The acceptance rate of vaccination against COVID-19 among Tunisian HCP is still low in South Tunisian hospitals. Socio-demographic, cultural and professional factors predisposing to the vaccination willingness were highlighted. Combating the vaccine hesitancy of HCP through enhancing sensibilization campaigns is essential to promote vaccination in general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: At the time of the emergence of COVID-19, denialist and anti-vaccine groups have also emerged and are shaking public confidence in vaccination. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using online focus groups. Participants had not received any doses of vaccination against the disease. A total of five focus group sessions were conducted with 28 participants. They were recruited by snowball sampling and by convenience sampling. Results: The two major topics mentioned by the participants were adverse effects and information. The adverse effects described were severe and included sudden death. In the case of information, participants reported: (1) consultation of websites on which scientists posted anti-vaccination content; and (2) distrust. Conclusions: At a time when anti-vaccine groups pose a major challenge to public health in general, and to COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in particular, this study is a first step towards gaining deeper insight into the factors that lead to COVID-19 vaccine refusal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ümraniye Pediatri Dergisi is the property of KARE Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Community & Physician / Toplum ve Hekim is the property of Turk Tabipleri Birligi / Turkish Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The worldwide elimination of measles and rubella is feasible, but not without overcoming the substantial challenge of vaccine hesitancy. This challenge is complicated by the spread of misinformation and disinformation fueled by rapidly progressing technologies and evolving forms of online communication. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has only added further complexity to this challenge. However, considerable progress has been made in understanding the scope of the problem and the complex factors that influence vaccine hesitancy. Our understanding of evidence-based strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy has grown significantly, including evidence for effective communication and behavioral interventions. In this article, we review measles and rubella vaccines and vaccine hesitancy. We then provide an overview of evidence-based strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy, including communication strategies and behavioral interventions. This article is relevant to healthcare professionals, health system leaders, public health professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and any individuals who have a role in addressing vaccine hesitancy in their communities. Finally, we review future directions and major areas of research need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]