Primary Care Education Improves Digital Vaccine Literacy and Reduces Hesitancy: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a structured primary care-based education program on vaccine hesitancy, digital vaccine literacy, eco-anxiety, and perceived vulnerability to disease among parents of children aged 0-2 years.Method: A randomized controlled, parallel-group pretest-post-test design was used. A total of 178 parents (intervention = 93; control = 85) were included. The intervention group received a 4-week structured education program, while the control group received routine care. Data were collected at three time points and analyzed using mixed-design analysis of variance.Results: Significant time & times; group interactions were found for all variables (p < .001). Vaccine hesitancy and eco-anxiety decreased, while digital vaccine literacy and perceived vulnerability significantly increased in the intervention group. Effects were sustained at follow-up.Discussion: Primary care-based education may be an effective and sustainable strategy to improve vaccine-related cognitive and emotional processes and reduce hesitancy among parents.Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT07381088); registered January 25, 2026.