Objectives: Since 2009 the number of unvaccinated children in Poland has been regularly increasing. The purpose of the study was to learn what parents who decide to vaccinate their children feel and believe about their children's vaccines and in particular to find out how these sentiments and beliefs affect their attitude and decision-making with reference to vaccinations.
Methods: The interviews were conducted during an immunization visit of parents whose children are covered by immunization schedule; 53 parents aged 23 to 48 years took part in the study. Most study participants were high school or university graduates living in rural areas. Children were 1 week to 5 years old. Thematic analysis was used to analyse interview data.
Results: Identified factors shaping the parents' positive attitude to vaccination included conviction of necessity of vaccines (effective disease prevention, safety, favourable benefit-to-risk ratio, and concerns about the child). The general anti-vaccination belief was that vaccines are unnecessary. External factors, mainly authority figures and media broadcasts, affect parents' beliefs and decisions.
Conclusions: Various factors affect parents' decision concerning immunization of their children. Both compulsory and recommended vaccines should be provided free-of-charge. Choice overload should be reduced. Paediatricians should address parental vaccine hesitancy.
Keywords: attitudes; beliefs; children; decision-making; immunization; vaccines.