Vaccine safety perceptions and experience with adverse events following immunization in Uzbekistan

Abstract

The success of vaccination programmes depends on the continued acceptance of vaccines by parents yet rumours misperceptions and fears about vaccines exist and can lead parents to delay or refuse vaccination. Few quantitative studies have addressed the prevalence of vaccine-related concerns among parents in countries in economic transition. The objective of this survey study was to describe the vaccine safety concerns among parents/ guardians in Uzbekistan. This study was divided into two stages. The first stage used formative research including qualitative key informant interviews and focus groups to obtain detailed information about the childhood immunization delivery system and concerns about immunization safety in Uzbekistan; these results have been described elsewhere. Cognitive interviews and the findings from the formative research were used to develop and pilot-test survey instruments for the second stage of the study which is described below. (excerpt)