Abstract
Vaccines have helped in eradicating many communicable diseases. They are considered major players in preserving children's health. However, concerns about vaccines' ingredients and safety became hot topics globally. With doubt, some parents became hesitant to vaccinate their children. A recent study documented high prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among Saudi parents.
This study aims to explore preparedness of current and future pediatricians to face vaccine hesitancy, a growing public health issue in Saudi Arabia.
This study adopted non-interventional cross-sectional online questionnaire specifically designed to encompass general vaccine hesitancy related questions including Covid-19's vaccines.
The study recruited 119 participants form three main tertiary centers in Riyadh. Trainees were the majority with pediatric consultants representing 22%. Females were more than half of total participants (53%). Although familiarity with the term “vaccine hesitancy” was common, it was affected by training level. Among participants, 66% heard about it from social media. Furthermore, only 32% received designated training. Knowledge was suboptimal among all levels except for those who received formal training. Despite 80% encountered vaccine hesitancy, only 55% consider it a common public health issue. Attitude toward vaccine hesitant parents was negative among male physicians (odds ratio of 2.3, P value 0.045). Additionally, majority consider it a form of child neglect (95%). In regard to COVID19's vaccine, 31% were reluctant to get vaccinated themselves.
Pediatric workforce in Saudi Arabia commonly encounters vaccine hesitancy. The strong stand against vaccine hesitant parents might affect rapport with families. Sub-optimal knowledge, negative attitude and emerging COVID19 vaccine hesitancy might negatively impact future efforts. Tailored training and innovative educational platforms are essentials to address vaccine hesitancy in Saudi Arabia.
•This is the first paper we know of that explores readiness to face vaccine hesitancy in Saudi Arabia.•The paper shows a huge deficit in knowledge regarding addressing vaccine hesitancy.•The only factor that influenced better knowledge addressing vaccine hesitancy was past medical training.•Despite high exposure to vacicine hesitancy, only half of participants consider it a common public health issue in Saudi Arabia.•Intolerance to vaccine hesistant parents is alarming for future confrontational relationships with some families.•Male physicians carry negative attitude toward vaccine hesitant parents and are less enthusiastic to receive further training to address this issue.•Female physicians are more likely to be hesitant to get COVID19 vaccine themselves.•There is a great need for tailored training to address vaccine hesitancy in Saudi Arabia.•Current and future pediatricians showed interest in using social media as an educational platform.