Did COVID-19 Pandemic Changed Parents’ Approachto Vaccination?

Abstract

Objective: Vaccine hesitancy is driven by many factors and varies across time. People with vaccine hesitancy may changetheir decision in the case of COVID-19 pandemic. Our study aimed to evaluate parents’ pandemic related perceived stresslevels and its effects on vaccine hesitation, also their willingness towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was practiced with an open-access online survey program throughsocial networks. Parents aged between 18 and 49 years, who had at least one child and agreed to participate in this studyconstituted the population (n=440). The questionnaire consisted of 14 questions about socio-demographic characteristics ofparents, their attitudes and behaviors about childhood vaccines and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results: Four hundred forty parents participated in this study, 377 (85.7%) of them stated that they thought positively to wards the vaccines, 55 (12.5%) were hesitant. After the pandemic, 22 (40.0%) of 55 participants who had hesitations statedthat now they believe vaccines are necessary. Of all participants, 43.4% stated they would definitely, 30.5% would probablyhave the COVID-19 vaccine administered. Participants who had high-stress levels perceived more vaccine hesitation. Conclusion: Pandemia may change people’s opinions about vaccine hesitancy. Even if an effective vaccine is developed incase of a pandemic, people need to be told correctly, to create a demand for vaccination.