AWARNESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT NEW VACCINES AMONG PARENTS

Vaccination is one of the most important preventive health care interventions which play a key role in protecting children from major life threatening infections in the childhood. Parenteral awareness plays a key role in delivering this intervention to children .Our study was performed to assess the awareness, perception and knowledge about newer vaccines currently available in the market among parents attending the OPD. We also looked into the variables which influenced the knowledge so as to identify solutions to address the knowledge gap. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Saveetha medical college and hospital, India from June 2018- June 2020. Immunization knowledge and attitude among 600 parents was evaluated through a questionnaire. Majority of the parents are aware of the vaccines which are administered as a part of the national immunization schedule.84 % of parents are unaware of the other optional vaccines which are recommended by the IAP but which are not a part of national immunization schedule. Treating pediatricians and family physicians are the main source of information about vaccines (60 %).The mass media, immunization campaigns are other sources of information. The side effects ,efficacy and safety of vaccines are a matter of concern to the parents .Level of knowledge directly correlated with maternal literacy (P ≤ 0.05) and to a lesser extent with fathers’ literacy and advancing age was associated with better knowledge (P ≤ 0.05). There is limited knowledge among parents regarding newer vaccines. Every opportunity of contact with the parents should be utilized by the doctors for imparting health education. It is prudent to target young parents and especially mothers. Vaccine awareness should be enhanced through the use of mass media. Government must include these newer vaccines in the national immunization program in a phase wise manner.