tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Vaccine
. 2025 May 15:58:127250.
doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127250. Online ahead of print. Investigating the state of vaccine confidence among the general public and parents with children up to 13 years in Flanders (Belgium)
Jade Pattyn[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Nikita Hanning[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sara Valckx[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Toni Claessens[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Emilie Karafillakis[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Veerle Jong[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Heidi Theeten[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Greet Hendrickx[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Pierre Van Damme[SUP] 9 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore vaccine confidence, a factor influencing vaccination uptake, in Flanders (Belgium) during November 2023. The study evaluated confidence in vaccines generally and in specific vaccines: MMR, HPV, seasonal influenza, and COVID-19.
Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 1500 individuals: 1000 from the general population (>18 years) and 500 parents with children (≤13 years). Vaccine confidence was measured using the Vaccine Confidence Index™ (VCI). Weighted analysis and multivariable binary logistic regressions were employed to explore the association between sociodemographic and other potential predictors influencing vaccine confidence.
Results: The results showed that 77.9 % (CI 75.0-80.8) of the general population and 81.6 % (CI 76.5-86.6) of parents considered vaccines to be generally safe, while >80 % of both groups saw them as effective and important for children. A total of 56.9 % (CI 53.2-60.6) of the general population and 64.5 % (CI 54.5-74.5) of the parents agreed that vaccines are important, safe, effective, and compatible with their beliefs. Lower VCI scores were observed for COVID-19 (52.1 % (CI 48.2-55.9)) and HPV vaccines (56.2 % (CI 52.2-60.2)) in the general population, and for COVID-19 (50.2 % (CI 39.4-61.0)) and influenza vaccines (61.7 % (CI 51.5-72.0)) among parents. Higher VCI scores were observed in older generations (>45 years) and higher-educated individuals.
Conclusion: Most participants are confident in vaccines. While quantitative monitoring has been conducted across Europe, including in Belgium, this monitoring study focuses on Flanders, providing a valuable baseline for future reference. Longitudinal research, preferably including also qualitative research, is needed to further understand trends and how to build and sustain confidence in Flanders.
Keywords: Belgium; COVID-19; Flanders; General public; HPV; Influenza; MMR; Parents; Vaccine confidence; Vaccine hesitancy.
. 2025 May 15:58:127250.
doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127250. Online ahead of print. Investigating the state of vaccine confidence among the general public and parents with children up to 13 years in Flanders (Belgium)
Jade Pattyn[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Nikita Hanning[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sara Valckx[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Toni Claessens[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Emilie Karafillakis[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Veerle Jong[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Heidi Theeten[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Greet Hendrickx[SUP] 8 [/SUP], Pierre Van Damme[SUP] 9 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 40378551
- DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127250
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore vaccine confidence, a factor influencing vaccination uptake, in Flanders (Belgium) during November 2023. The study evaluated confidence in vaccines generally and in specific vaccines: MMR, HPV, seasonal influenza, and COVID-19.
Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 1500 individuals: 1000 from the general population (>18 years) and 500 parents with children (≤13 years). Vaccine confidence was measured using the Vaccine Confidence Index™ (VCI). Weighted analysis and multivariable binary logistic regressions were employed to explore the association between sociodemographic and other potential predictors influencing vaccine confidence.
Results: The results showed that 77.9 % (CI 75.0-80.8) of the general population and 81.6 % (CI 76.5-86.6) of parents considered vaccines to be generally safe, while >80 % of both groups saw them as effective and important for children. A total of 56.9 % (CI 53.2-60.6) of the general population and 64.5 % (CI 54.5-74.5) of the parents agreed that vaccines are important, safe, effective, and compatible with their beliefs. Lower VCI scores were observed for COVID-19 (52.1 % (CI 48.2-55.9)) and HPV vaccines (56.2 % (CI 52.2-60.2)) in the general population, and for COVID-19 (50.2 % (CI 39.4-61.0)) and influenza vaccines (61.7 % (CI 51.5-72.0)) among parents. Higher VCI scores were observed in older generations (>45 years) and higher-educated individuals.
Conclusion: Most participants are confident in vaccines. While quantitative monitoring has been conducted across Europe, including in Belgium, this monitoring study focuses on Flanders, providing a valuable baseline for future reference. Longitudinal research, preferably including also qualitative research, is needed to further understand trends and how to build and sustain confidence in Flanders.
Keywords: Belgium; COVID-19; Flanders; General public; HPV; Influenza; MMR; Parents; Vaccine confidence; Vaccine hesitancy.