This study examines vaccine hesitancy among parents in Peshawar, Pakistan, exploring factors associated with routine immunization refusal. The research, conducted in July 2024, surveyed 340 parents of children aged 0–59 months using the SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Tool.
Key findings:
22% (n = 74) of parents refused vaccines for their children.
Employed mothers were three times more likely to refuse vaccines (AOR: 3.11, 95% CI: 1.25, 7.67) than unemployed mothers.
The highest refusal rate was in Shaheen Muslim Town (41%).
Main barriers included distance to healthcare facilities, cost, and concerns about vaccine necessity (AOR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.45, 4.30).
Parents who refused vaccines were less likely to believe in their protective benefits (77% vs. 98%) and had higher rates of vaccine hesitancy (47% vs. 29%).
The study highlights the urgent need for mobile immunization units and targeted public health campaigns to address misinformation and improve vaccine coverage.
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