Understanding parental perspectives on vaccines in Saudi Arabia: Lessons from the COVID-19 experience

A BSTRACT Context: The study focuses on Saudi parents’ perceptions regarding the newly introduced COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 9–15, amid concerns related to vaccine safety and effectiveness. Aims: This study aimed to explore Saudi parents’ perception of the benefits and risks associated with newly introduced COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 9-15. Settings and Design: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used. Participants were recruited from two public and two private schools in Riyadh to reflect diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Methods and Material: Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, semistructured one-to-one interviews were conducted with 18 Saudi parents recruited from two public and two private schools in Riyadh. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using NVivo software (version 11.4.2). Statistical Analysis Used: Not applicable (qualitative study using thematic analysis). Results: The findings revealed that Saudi parents primarily developed their understanding of vaccine safety and effectiveness through personal observations of vaccinated individuals around them. Despite a general trust in health authorities, many parents expressed hesitancy toward vaccinating their children due to the vaccine’s novelty, with future infertility cited as the most commonly reported concern. Conclusions: To promote uptake of newly introduced vaccines in Saudi Arabia, public health campaigns should prioritize transparent communication, particularly addressing fertility-related concerns with scientific evidence. Additionally, parents require timely and detailed information through official communication channels to address their questions and alleviate fears.