Survey on the Knowledge, Perceptions and Concerns of Parents About Childhood Vaccinations in Italy

BACKGROUND: The Italian Ministry of Health, following CDC recommendations, advises that all children follow the recommended vaccination schedule. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess Italian families’ knowledge, perceptions, and concerns about vaccinations through surveys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A national survey was conducted in November 2024 by Euromedia Research among 1,000 families with children aged 2 months to 16 years, stratified by sex, age and area of ​​residence,the statistical error of 3.1%, allows to generate a complete picture also in terms of geography, income, parental age, parents age (18 and 55 years). RESULTS: Most parents (90%) consider pediatric vaccines essential for their child’s health, and 86.5% recognize their importance for public health, 73% of parents believe vaccines are safe. Only 34% correctly identified compulsory vaccines in accordance with the Law 19/2017, and just 17% distinguished between mandatory and recommended ones. Responses regarding compliance with vaccination requirements for school enrolment show a high level of disinformation. The key issues on which respondents are often divided are the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high level of knowledge about vaccines reported by the respondents, their answers do not indicate a very deep knowledge. The findings of the survey highlight parental perspectives within the political and public debate concerning the quality of information regarding vaccination, the aspects of vaccination science that remain uncertain, and the limitations of information provided by institutional sources and media. The necessity for more in-depth and comprehensive information is indisputable and also vaccine information for parents should be focused on safety at its core.