Vaccine-hesitant parents’ reasons for choosing alternative protection methods in Turkey

Abstract

Background: Parents use alternative protective methods instead of having their children vaccinated because of their various concerns. Aims: The aim of this study is to examine the processes by which the parents preferred alternative methods rather than the vaccines to strengthen their child's immune system. Methods: Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 parents who had vaccine hesitancy. The study sample consisted of parents whose children were between the ages of 0 and 18 years and who experienced vaccine hesitancy and lived in Turkey. The interviews with individuals were conducted online and aimed to be representative of the population of Turkey. Results: The factors that caused parental vaccine hesitancy were various, such as vaccine contents, distrust of healthcare workers and false information about vaccines. Because of these factors, parents resorted to natural nutrition, vitamin support and some other precautions, such as avoiding takeaway food or preparing homemade food, rather than having their children vaccinated. Conclusions: In recent years, it is thought that parents need education about vaccination; outbreaks may be caused by immigrant children who cannot be registered, and therefore cannot be vaccinated, in Turkey, which has received immigration at a high rate.