PARENTS‘ KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF AND HESITANCY TOWARDS COVID-19 VACCINE AMONG PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS IN HOSPITAL SEBERANG JAYA, PULAU PINANG

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic has had serious negative effects on children in terms of both their health and societal effects. However, owing to reports of a low vaccination rate, the objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with parents’ hesitation in getting their young children vaccinated. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital. All parents or legal guardians of paediatric patients with chronic illnesses aged 3 to 11 who visited the hospital during the study period filled out the online questionnaire. Two hundred and thirty-five outpatient clinic respondents and 77 ward respondents were asked to complete the questionnaire. Malays made up the majority (88.5%), followed by Chinese (6.7%) and Indians (4.8%). Ethnicity, information sources, children‘s age, knowledge score and vaccine perception were found to be significantly different across three degrees of acceptance – ‘Yes’, ‘No’ and ‘Not sure’. There was a significant correlation between ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ replies and parents‘ perceptions of immunisation hurdles. When compared to the Malays, the Chinese had substantially lower odds of responding with ‘Not sure’. Parents‘ acceptance of the vaccine was influenced by their awareness of COVID-19, the effectiveness of the vaccine, any side effects and doctors‘ recommendations. Parents were less concerned about vaccine side effects as their children aged. To infer, authorities should respond to public concerns and adverse events related to immunisation in a timely and transparent manner. To increase immunisation rates, it is important to inform the public that the advantages of receiving COVID-19 vaccination exceed its risks.