Underlying Factors of Childhood Vaccine Refusal and Hesitancy: A Population Based Study

Introduction: Vaccination of children is one of the most cost-effective methods in preventing infant and child diseases and deaths. The aim of this study was to determine the underlying factors of parents' decisions on childhood vaccine refusal. Materials and Methods: The population of this descriptive study consisted of 180 families that officially rejected the childhood vaccination of their children. The data was collected by face-to-face interview technique. Results: Vaccine refusal was more common in parents with higher socioeconomic and sociocultural levels and who have better access to health services. The most important reasons for vaccine refusal were, regarding vaccine production as a commercial market and believing that vaccines had more side effects than their benefits. Conclusion: The most important factor in vaccine refusal was the negative propaganda of the media. Therefore, the propaganda in the media against vaccination should be limited at both international and national level.