The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal in children with food allergies

• Published in: Zeynep Kamil Medical Journal Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 45 - 52
• Main Author: Özer, Murat
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kare Yayıncılık 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Kadın Hastalıkları; Sağlık Hizmetleri; Tıp; İstanbul; Türkiye; COVID-19; Allergy; anxiety; vaccine refusal; food
• ISSN: 2757-8062; 2757-8062
• DOI: 10.14744/zkmj.2023.43925

Objective: Food allergies are an important factor causing hesitancy towards childhood vaccines. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccine hesitancy and vaccine refusal in children with food allergies. Material and Methods: This study was conducted with 104 children and their parents, who applied to the pediatric allergy clinic between October 1, 2020, and March 30, 2021. The children were classified as “fully vaccinated,” “incompletely vaccinated,” and “unvaccinated.” Moreover, fully vaccinated children were divided into two subgroups: “fully vaccinated on time” and “fully vaccinated with a delay.” Their vaccination statuses and histories of COVID-19 were questioned. The Beck Anxiety Scale was applied to the parents in the patient and control groups. Results: Although there were no unvaccinated children, there were 12 (11.5%) incompletely vaccinated children, 57 (54.8%) children who were fully vaccinated on time, and 35 (33.6%) children who were fully vaccinated with a delay. Logistic regression analysis determined that living outside the city center (OR: 6.9) and having a family history of COVID-19 (OR: 5.8) caused a delay in vaccination. The analysis also revealed that a high anxiety score (OR: 1.8) led to missed vaccinations. Conclusion: The rate of delay in vaccination administration increased among individuals living outside of a city center and those with a family history of COVID-19 infections. It was also found that the rate of missed vaccinations increases with increased parental anxiety.