Influence of information sources on vaccine hesitancy and practices

Many factors influence vaccination practices and attitudes. This study aimed to identify vaccine information sources used by parents of children aged 1-15 years to get a better understanding of the relation between vaccine information sources, practices for two vaccines (MMR, HBV), vaccine acceptance, and vaccine hesitancy.

A total of 3938 parents, drawn by random sampling, were interviewed by telephone as part of the "2016 health barometer" survey. Vaccine information sources were described and analyzed according to socio-demographic variables. Multivariate logistic regression models were then built to explain vaccine information sources usage, vaccination practices and attitudes.

Healthcare professionals (HCP), the Internet, and relatives were the three main vaccine information sources. Vaccination practices and acceptance were better when parents were getting information from HCPs compared with parents getting information from the Internet or relatives. Besides, getting information from the three different types of sources was associated with the highest rate of vaccine hesitancy: 70.9% (OR=4.6; P<0.0001) versus 34.6% among parents getting information from HCPs only.

Those results suggest an interest in providing quality information about vaccination on the Internet. The primary role of HCPs in vaccination decision is once again demonstrated.