Vaccine hesitancy: An experience from an immunization clinic of a tertiary care hospital of Eastern Odisha

Introduction: Immunization-a successful and cost-effective measure-to protect children is facing the growing challenge of vaccine hesitancy (VH), especially for countries seeking to close the immunization gap. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of VH and its determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an immunization clinic, KIMS, Bhubaneswar, from May to July 2019. Data were collected by interviewing parents accompanying their children. Parents were classified as pro-vaccine, vaccine-hesitant, or anti-vaccine on self-reports (as per fixed researcher-made operational definition). Of 117 participants contacted, 29 refused for any vaccine administration and were hence excluded, making a total sample of 88. Results: Of 88 participants, 39.8% were pro-vaccine and 60.2% vaccine-hesitant; the proportion of VH being 45.3%; although most pro-vaccine and hesitant parents agreed about the benefits of vaccinations. The mean age of the children was 3.65 ± 1.96 years. Family pediatricians were considered a reliable source of information by most pro-vaccine and hesitant parents (56.1% and 43.9%, respectively). The main factors which had a statistically significant association with VH were education of the father (P = 0.03), education of the mother (P = 0.036), and socioeconomic status (P = 0.0016). Conclusion: Vaccine safety is perceived as a concern by all parents, although more so by hesitant parents. Training health professionals and providing homogenous information about vaccination, in line with national recommendations can help in responding to their concerns.