Up to 85 percent of parents who have yet to vaccinate their children against rotavirus said they would do so after March when it is included in the state vaccination program, according to a survey.
Rotavirus is a virus that causes diarrhea and other intestinal symptoms. It’s very contagious and is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) released the survey results on the public’s awareness of vaccinations against human papillomavirus (HPV) that expanded targets in 2022 and rotavirus newly included in the state vaccination program this year.
The recognition rate of rotavirus infections was 98.5 percent, indicating most parents with children under 12 months of age knew about rotavirus and vaccination.
Nine in 10 parents recognized the need for rotavirus vaccination for infants under 12 months. Eight in 10 parents replied they have already had their children vaccinated against rotavirus, and 30 percent of those who have not done so answered it was because the virus was not included in the “essential vaccination list.”
Some 86.5 percent of respondents agreed on the need to include rotavirus in the state vaccination program, with 85.5 percent saying it helps their children grow healthily and reduce rearing burdens.
As to why it is needed to be a state vaccination virus, 62.4 percent said because it is expensive, with 85 percent expressing willingness to have their children vaccinated against it.
The awareness rate of HPV was 82.0 percent, and 68.3 percent said it must be prevented through vaccination. Seven in 10 respondents were willing to receive shots. Among those unwilling, 46.8 percent expressed concerns about abnormal or side effects.
The respondents showed relatively high satisfaction with the state vaccination programs, with 84.2 percent, especially among women from low-income families aged 18-26.
“The government will continue to develop the state vaccination program so that it could protect people's health from infectious diseases,” KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee said. “We will also prepare thoroughly so that people will receive rotavirus shots without inconvenience from March.”