The Evaluation of Vaccine Hesitancy and Refusal for Childhood Vaccines and the COVID-19 Vaccine in Individuals Aged Between 18 and 25 Years

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine vaccine hesitancy and refusal for childhood vaccines and the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine in individuals aged between 18 and 25 years and the affecting factors.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, an online questionnaire was implemented on 1.033 people aged between 18 and 25 years and living in Turkey between January 28, 2021, and February 19, 2021, by reaching them via e-mail and messaging applications.

Results: Among the participants, 68.8% considered getting their children vaccinated, 11.4% were hesitant and 3.1% refused. Among the participants, 36.6% considered getting vaccinated against COVID-19, 34.8% hesitated and 28.6% refused. Hesitation/rejection of childhood vaccines increased with age and when negative information about childhood vaccines was obtained. The acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine was higher in men, in those who assumed that the COVID-19 virus was of a natural origin, in those who obtained information on the COVID-19 vaccine from the Ministry of Health, and in those who made search in scientific papers.

Conclusion: The rates of hesitation and rejection in the COVID-19 vaccines are quite high compared to childhood vaccines. It shows that participants are influenced by speculative news. Therefore, it is recommended that this age group be given trainings based on scientific evidence regarding both childhood vaccines and the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine.