The Science4Pandemics Project Estimates that 20.8% of European Adolescents Are Hesitant to Get Vaccinated

According to a recent study published in BMC Public Health and led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute (IRSJD), 20.8% of European adolescents show vaccine hesitancy, with significant differences between countries. The research, conducted in collaboration with young people and parents from Italy, Portugal, Poland, and Spain, has identified key factors explaining this hesitancy, such as fear of vaccine side effects and distrust of government recommendations.

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and associated factors among European adolescents and parents within the Science4Pandemics (S4P) project, funded by EIT Health. To achieve this, two cross-sectional surveys were conducted: one with 1,135 parents of children under 18, using the standardised PACV (Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines) questionnaire, and another with 1,877 adolescents aged 12 to 17, adapting the same questionnaire.

Spain: One of the lowest vaccine hesitancy rates in Europe

The study reveals that 20.8% of participating adolescents exhibit vaccine hesitancy. This figure varies significantly between countries: Spain reports a prevalence of 12.5%, while Poland reaches 31.6%. This rate is very similar to that of parents, which stands at 20.4%. The primary reason for this hesitancy is fear of vaccine side effects, cited by 56.1% of adolescents and 51.9% of parents. Additionally, both adolescents and parents express distrust in government recommendations, with 22% and 22.8%, respectively, citing this reason. Other reasons mentioned by young people include the belief that vaccine-preventable infections are not serious (8.4%) and the perception of a low likelihood of getting sick (8.4%). Meanwhile, parents highlight economic barriers (10.9%) and the belief that vaccine-preventable infections are not serious (10.4%).

"These results suggest that the decline in vaccination coverage in Europe may be more related to misunderstandings about vaccine effectiveness and safety than to economic limitations or access to the healthcare system," says Pere Millat-Martínez, ISGlobal researcher and first author of the article. "Therefore, it is urgent to improve public health strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and ensure optimal vaccination coverage."

Furthermore, the authors emphasise that adolescents should be a key focus of awareness campaigns, using mass media and school-based initiatives to foster trust in vaccines among this age group. 

"It is necessary to strengthen communication and education strategies on immunisation, particularly targeting adolescents and their families. Misinformation about vaccines and the influence of social media are key factors that must be addressed to improve vaccination rates and reduce hesitancy," concludes Begonya Nafria, coordinator of the Patient Participation in Research Area at IRSJD and principal investigator of the S4P project.