Insights from social science research on parental willingness to vaccinate
Why do parents have their child vaccinated, or opt not to vaccinate? The SocioVax programme at RIVM explored that question through survey-based research. The results show that the vast majority of parents in the Netherlands consider it a social norm to have children vaccinated, even in groups in which vaccination uptake is lower than average. Care providers are an important source of information when making decisions about vaccination. This study helps us understand what different groups consider important in making decisions about vaccination, and what can help them in that process.
Every year, we give a survey to a random sampling of parents in the Netherlands. The questions were about their:
- vaccination choices
- experience with vaccination services provided
- beliefs and opinions about vaccination
The survey-based monitor offers insight into determinants and practical considerations of parents about whether or not to vaccinate. The monitor also offers an overview of potential differences between groups of people and how those differences can be explained. Since the survey is repeated every year, we can also investigate whether parents change their thoughts about childhood vaccinations over time.
Results of the survey-based monitor
The main outcomes from the first survey-based monitor (spring 2024) are:
- Self-reported vaccination uptake is lower among parents who were born outside the Netherlands (or were born to parents who came from outside the Netherlands).
- Self-reported vaccination uptake is lower among parents who have only completed primary or secondary education or vocational education (MBO).
- On average, people with a lower self-reported vaccination uptake are less aware of the importance of vaccination, more hesitant about vaccine safety, and less likely to have confidence in the government and the healthcare system.
- There is no one specific belief or conviction that largely dictates participation in vaccination.
- The vast majority of parents in the Netherlands consider it a social norm to have children vaccinated, even in the groups in which vaccination uptake is lower.
- A significant majority are satisfied about their most recent vaccination experience. Confidence in care providers that give vaccinations is high. For most parents, care providers are an important source of information when making choices about vaccination.
The detailed results of the first survey-based monitor are presented in this knowledge brief:
Results of the SocioVax monitor 2024: insights from social science on willingness to vaccinate in the context of the National Immunisation Programme.