Vaccine hesitancy, the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services, presents a formidable and escalating challenge to global paediatric public health. Designated by the World Health Organization as a top 10 global health threat, hesitancy directly undermines immunisation coverage, erodes herd immunity, and facilitates the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). This narrative review synthesises contemporary evidence on the prevalence, multidimensional determinants, and evidence-based interventions for parental vaccine hesitancy, with a dedicated focus on India’s unique epidemiological and socio-cultural landscape. The analysis, informed by seminal reports and recent studies, frames hesitancy not as a binary state of acceptance or refusal, but as a complex continuum influenced by an intricate matrix of factors, including complacency, convenience, and confidence (the ‘3Cs’ model). In India, these global determinants intersect with profound regional disparities in healthcare access, pervasive digital misinformation, and deep-seated socio-cultural norms, contributing to significant heterogeneity in vaccination coverage. The review critically examines multifaceted intervention strategies, emphasising the paramount importance of context-specific, trust-building approaches that integrate robust communication with healthcare providers, proactive community engagement, and strategic digital outreach. Confronting vaccine hesitancy through tailored, evidence-informed, and collaborative public health action is an urgent imperative for safeguarding child health and achieving equitable, sustainable immunisation targets in India and globally.
Zerai Gebrehiwot (Fri,) studied this question.