Parents’ Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Vaccinating Preschool Children: Insights from Paediatric Practise

Background: Immunisation is one of the most effective public health interventions. However, parental knowledge and attitudes strongly influence vaccination decisions, particularly in the context of widespread misinformation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 in two paediatric clinics of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Health Centre, Croatia. A total of 320 parents of preschool-aged children (0–6 years) participated, of whom 79.7% were mothers. Data were collected through a structured, anonymous 26-item questionnaire distributed via QR code. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied, including chi-square tests, correlations, t-tests, and ANOVA. Results: The majority of parents (85.9%) reported vaccinating their children regularly, and 70.3% considered vaccination essential for disease prevention. Fear of side effects (59.1%) was the leading reason for hesitancy. Paediatricians were the most trusted source of information (89.4%), followed by the internet (60.3%). Parents with higher education and income expressed significantly more favourable attitudes towards vaccination (p < 0.01). Satisfaction with information provided by healthcare professionals was positively associated with confidence in vaccination, whereas the number of children was not a significant factor. Conclusion: Parents generally hold positive attitudes towards childhood immunisation, but persistent concerns about safety and misinformation remain. Strengthening communication and educational efforts by healthcare professionals—especially among parents with lower educational levels—is essential for maintaining public trust and high vaccination coverage. As emphasised in previous Croatian work, communication is central to improving vaccine confidence.