ABSTRACT
Objective Vaccination is an important measure for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the present study, we aimed to evaluate parents' attitudes toward vaccinating themselves and their children. We also searched whether information about the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a severe complication of COVID-19, could change parents' decisions on vaccinating their children. Methods A questionnaire form consisting of sociodemographic features, COVID-19 vaccination practices, and knowledge about MIS-C was applied to parents of children attending Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital from March through June 2022. Factors affecting vaccine hesitancy were evaluated. Results Among 383 parents, COVID-19 history was present in 248 (64.8%), and 165 (43.1%) were hesitant to vaccinate themselves. The number of cases where both parents had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine was 256/354 (72.3%). The most common reasons for vaccine hesitancy were vaccines being new in 53/165 (32.1%) and fears of side effects in 95/165 (57.6%). Parents' hesitation toward vaccination of their children with the COVID-19 vaccine was highest for the 0 to 6 age group (78.9%) (73.6% in the 6–12 age group, and 47.3% in the 12–18 age group). In total, 365/383 (95.3%) parents did not have an opinion about MIS-C. After information was given, 62.5% of the 302 participants who opposed vaccinating children under 6 years changed their decision to have their children vaccinated. Conclusion Although routine childhood vaccinations were performed in 99% of children, more than half of parents were hesitant to vaccinate their children with the COVID-19 vaccine. The majority did not have an opinion about MIS-C. Briefings by pediatricians about complications of COVID-19 will help avoid vaccine hesitancy. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases is the property of Thieme Medical Publishing Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)