Immunization Hesitancy in the Midst of the Pandemic

Immunization hesitancy among parents has become rampant and poses a great relevance during this time of pandemic. With set limitations due to COVID-19 protocols, 45 respondents with children ages 0-5 residing in Tierra Verde Subdivision, Pallocan West, Batangas City, were chosen. Specifically, this paper aims to determine the prevalence of compliance and non-compliance to vaccines, identify factors that contribute to the hesitancy of parents towards immunization, find out the difference of responses on the factors that contribute to the hesitancy of parents to immunization when grouped according to the prevalence of parents ‘compliance and non-compliance to immunization, and lastly, formulate a plan of action geared to addressing this phenomenon. The method of gathering pertinent data used explanatory sequential, mixed- method research to support the quantitative data with the responses of parents through an elicited interview of 15 representative individuals of the said community. Firsthand, a survey questionnaire was distributed, imparted with interview guides for the chosen respondents. Gathered findings deemed evident hesitance of parents to submit their children for vaccination, which is highly correlated to having insufficient knowledge about vaccines. Herewith, proposals for holistic health education were recommended for the provision of a high-standard training program not only for health care providers but also for the barangay health workers. In doing such action, the alleviation of worries, concerns, and inevitable negative thoughts of parents regarding vaccination will be achieved.

Keywords – immunization hesitancy, vaccine, compliance