Assessment of parent’s intention on childhood immunization using the theory of planned behavior: a cross-sectional research in a local community in the Philippines

Vaccination for children is essential for public health; however, parental reluctance poses a significant obstacle to achieving comprehensive coverage. This research examines the factors that influence parental intention to vaccinate children in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A total of 390 parents of children aged 0–4 were surveyed to assess how attitudes, social influences, and perceived control affect vaccination intentions. The analysis revealed that positive attitudes toward vaccination, strong encouragement from family and healthcare providers, and perceived ease of access to vaccines were significant predictors of vaccination intentions. Among these factors, perceived behavioral control demonstrated the strongest correlation with parents’ intentions to vaccinate. Additionally, education and occupation significantly influenced attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control, but not vaccination intention. These findings underscore the central role of perceived behavioral control, along with social networks and education, in shaping vaccination decisions. Drawing from these insights, public health interventions should aim at addressing these factors to effectively enhance vaccine uptake and mitigate vaccine hesitancy.