Children's medicine of the North-West

Vaccine refusal: current state of the problem

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Keywords:
immunization vaccine refusal anti-vaccination attitudes medical neglect профилактические прививки отказ от вакцинации антипрививочные настроения медицинская запущенность

Abstract

Introduction.In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of refusals by legal guardians to vaccinate children without medical indications. This may be considered a form of child maltreatment — specifically, medical neglect. Such refusals lead to an increased risk of infectious diseases, disability, and mortality among children, as well as a weakening of herd immunity.Aim— to study the history of the anti-vaccination movement and to analyze the structure and causes of vaccine refusal in Saint Petersburg.Materials and methods.A retrospective analysis was conducted of 139 pediatric medical records (Forms No. 112/u and No. 026/u) and immunization records (Form No. 063/u) of children aged 2 to 15 years under observation in a municipal outpatient clinic in Saint Petersburg. An anonymous survey of 175 legal guardians of children attending preschools and schools was also conducted; the questionnaire included 54 items. In addition, relevant international literature on vaccine refusal was reviewed.Results.Violations of immunization status were identified in 56% of children. Among schoolchildren, 93% had deviations from the National Immunization Schedule, with 8% completely unvaccinated. Among preschool children, deviations from the schedule were observed in 64% of cases. Only 8% of deviations were due to medical exemptions. The most common reason (92%) for deviations was parental refusal based on personal statements. According to the survey, the majority of respondents were aged 26–40 years, and 70% had a medical background. The primary reason for vaccine refusal was personal beliefs of parents.Conclusion.To increase vaccination coverage, it is necessary to implement educational and awareness programs targeting all population groups and age categories, strengthen the role of healthcare professionals in communicating the importance of immunization, improve the regulatory framework, and actively use internet resources and social media to inform the public about the real consequences of vaccine refusal.

Author Biographies

Zlata V. Davydova, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Pathological Anatomy with a Course in Forensic Medicine named after Professor D.D. Lokhov

Valeria P. Novikova, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Propaedeutics of Childhood Diseases with a Course in General Child Care named after V.V. Yuryev

Elena Yu. Kalinina, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Human Anatomy

Darya Yu. Kovaleva, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University; Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination

Assistant Professor, Department of Pathological Anatomy with a Course in Forensic Medicine named after prof. D.D. Lokhov, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University; Forensic Expert, Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination

Ekaterina A. Galakhova, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

Assistant Professor, Department of Pathological Anatomy with a Course in Forensic Medicine named after prof. D.D. Lokhov

Zhanna I. Gornostaeva, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

4thyear student of the Pediatric Faculty

Egor I. Dvorcov, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

6thyear student of the Pediatric Faculty

Yulia V. Shabanova, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

2ndyear resident physician in theForensic Medicine program

Sergey S. Rogozin, Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University

Assistant Professor, Department of Normal Physiology

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How to Cite
Vaccine refusal: current state of the problem: INFECTIOUS DISEASES. (2026). Children’s Medicine of the North-West, 14(2), 171-180. https://doi.org/10.56871/
Issue
Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026)
Section
Original papers
Published
2026-07-30

How to Cite

Vaccine refusal: current state of the problem: INFECTIOUS DISEASES. (2026). Children’s Medicine of the North-West, 14(2), 171-180. https://doi.org/10.56871/