Parental knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of meningococcal vaccination in Istanbul, Turkey: A cross-sectional survey

Meningococcal infections range from asymptomatic carriage to fulminant sepsis with tissue necrosis. As the disease progresses rapidly, vaccination remains the most effective preventive strategy. Parental acceptance of vaccination is closely linked to awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. This study explores these factors and offers targeted recommendations to enhance vaccine uptake. This cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative study was conducted via a questionnaire administered to parents of pediatric patients seen or hospitalized at the University of Health Sciences Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital. The survey assessed socio-demographic characteristics, awareness and knowledge of meningococcal infections and vaccines, and vaccination-related attitudes and behaviors. A total of 306 parents participated voluntarily. Of the 306 participating parents, 257 (84%) were mothers and 49 (16%) were fathers.Only 71 parents (23.3%) were aware of meningococcal infections and vaccines, and just 29 (9.5%) had their child vaccinated. Among those aware of the vaccine, the main reasons for non-vaccination were lack of recommendation from their family physician (57.1%), insufficient knowledge about side effects (54.8%), and exclusion from the national immunization program (52.4%). The low rate of vaccine acceptance among parents is primarily attributed to their limited awareness of meningococcal diseases and vaccines. Therefore, public health authorities - particularly the Ministry of Health - should implement organized vaccination awareness campaigns through media and social networks to enhance public knowledge and increase awareness levels.