Self-reported vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays: a cross-sectional study - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #autism spectrum disorder
- #vaccine hesitancy
- #parental attitudes
- Study examines vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental delays.
- Vaccine refusal reported increased from 3.9% before diagnosis to 9.7% after diagnosis, with the main reason being belief vaccines caused the child's condition.
- No independent associations found between post-diagnosis hesitancy/refusal and factors like parental education, income, or depression/anxiety scores.
- Most participants (88.3%) disagreed that vaccines cause ASD or developmental disorders, yet concerns persist after diagnosis.
- Tailored education and communication strategies are recommended to support informed vaccine decisions in these families.