Vaccine rejection for parents with babies of 0-24 months: Solution recommendations for causes and reduction

Abstract

Objective: The research was conducted in order to determine the moth-ers’ attitudes towards vaccination and the reasons for vaccine rejection and to offer solutions to increase social approval. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in two family health centers and one private hospital in Konya, between November 2019 and May 2020, with a qualitative research method in order to examine the vaccine rejection, which is considered as a global health problem, in depth. In determining the research sample, 20 mothers were interviewed by using typical case sampling, one of the purposeful sampling meth-ods. In the study, the data were collected using the semi-structured form prepared under three main headings: “Descriptive Information Form (14 questions)” and “Opinions on Immunization”, “Opinions on Vaccine Rejec-tion” and “Opinions on the Dangers of Vaccine Rejection” developed as a result of the literature review and using an in-depth interview technique. Results: Forty percent (n= 8) of the mothers are secondary school gradu-ates, 75% (n= 15) do not work, and 45% (n= 9) are their first children. The average age of the children is 10.15 ± 6.53 months and 60% of them are male. It has been determined that mothers do not know what immunization means. Breast milk and propolis are among the traditional/alternative treatment methods used to strengthen immunity and protect against dis-eases, and it has been determined that herbal products and spiritual prac-tices are included. It was determined that the majority of mothers were op-posed to vaccines because of the vaccine was not produced in our country. Afterwards, it is believed that it causes autism, contains harmful substances, and the vaccinated child becomes more sick. Conclusion: The views that foster anti-vaccination are put forward as a claim without any scientific basis. The vaccine is a preventive pub-lic health practice whose safety has been proven over and over by ev-idence-based studies. For this reason, it is recommended to carry out comparative studies that reveal the difference between vaccination and non-vaccination, to increase the promotion and effectiveness of the Min-istry of Health Vaccine Portal, and to know how to give consultancy to hesitant or opposing people.