Countering Vaccine Hesitancy

2018 ◽  
pp. 79-92
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Edwards ◽  
Jesse M. Hackell
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Clinical Report ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Parental Concerns

Immunizations have led to a significant decrease in rates of vaccine-preventable diseases and have made a significant impact on the health of children. However, some parents express concerns about vaccine safety and the necessity of vaccines. The concerns of parents range from hesitancy about some immunizations to refusal of all vaccines. This clinical report provides information about addressing parental concerns about vaccination.

Practical Approaches to Optimize Adolescent Immunization

2018 ◽  
pp. 146-165
Author(s):  
Henry H. Bernstein ◽  
Joseph A. Bocchini
Keyword(s):  
American Academy ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Clinical Report ◽  
Immunization Schedule ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Immunization Rates ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Adolescent Vaccination

With the expansion of the adolescent immunization schedule during the past decade, immunization rates notably vary by vaccine and by state. Addressing barriers to improving adolescent vaccination rates is a priority. Every visit can be viewed as an opportunity to update and complete an adolescent’s immunizations. It is essential to continue to focus and refine the appropriate techniques in approaching the adolescent patient and parent in the office setting. Health care providers must continuously strive to educate their patients and develop skills that can help parents and adolescents overcome vaccine hesitancy. Research on strategies to achieve higher vaccination rates is ongoing, and it is important to increase the knowledge and implementation of these strategies. This clinical report focuses on increasing adherence to the universally recommended vaccines in the annual adolescent immunization schedule of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This will be accomplished by (1) examining strategies that heighten confidence in immunizations and address patient and parental concerns to promote adolescent immunization and (2) exploring how best to approach the adolescent and family to improve immunization rates.

scholarly journals Vaccine Hesitancy in the Time of COVID-19: Attitudes and Intentions of Teens and Parents Regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Amy B. Middleman ◽  
Judy Klein ◽  
Jane Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Vaccination Rates ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
The Us ◽  
Coverage Rates

To assess attitudes and intentions related to the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic, we surveyed adolescents aged 13–18 years and the parents of 13–18-year-olds using national research panels on three occasions or “waves”: before the COVID-19 vaccine was available, after it was available for adults, and after it was available for ages ≥12 years. Data on experiences with COVID-19, the importance of adolescent vaccines, and intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed across time points. We found that parental concerns about vaccine safety significantly increased from Wave 1 to 2. Social media had a negative influence on parents’ and adolescents’ opinions about vaccine safety. Demographic variables were associated with vaccination rates reported in Wave 3, consistent with known inequities related to vaccine access. Parents (70%) were supportive of concomitant COVID-19 vaccination with other adolescent vaccines for teens. It is important to address variables associated with vaccine hesitancy to increase COVID-19 vaccine coverage rates in the US.

scholarly journals Determinants of Hesitancy to Childhood Immunizations in a Peri -Urban Settlement; A Case Study of Nansana Municipality, Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-226
Author(s):  
Amos Kijjambu
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Immunization Service ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Childhood Immunizations

Vaccine hesitancy to immunization against the childhood vaccine-preventable diseases is increasingly becoming a concern worldwide, which negatively impacts the parents’ willingness to vaccinate their children. The objective of this study was to establish the current prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and the factors that determine parent’s hesitancy to childhood immunizations in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda. This was a cross-sectional mixed methods study, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Evaluation of the determinants of vaccine hesitancy was carried out on 344 parents of children under 24 months, using simple random sampling on pre-tested structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software. Additionally, 2 focus group discussions with parents were also conducted. Vaccine hesitancy was found to be 27.6%. Education level (AOR=4.9, 95% CI, 2.6 -29.5, p=0.01), belief in vaccine effectiveness (AOR= 0.47, 95% CI, 0.17 – 0.97, p=0.01), health workers attitude (AOR=0.22, 95% CI, 0.06 - 0.86, p=0.03), timing of immunization service clinic (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI, 1.8 – 6.4, p=0.01) and adequate information provision (AOR = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.16 – 0.99, p=0.04), were the factors that were independently determining vaccine hesitancy. The vaccine hesitancy prevalence rate is comparatively similar to previous urban area studies. Despite parents overwhelmingly believing in vaccines protecting their children from vaccine-preventable disease, these same parents, express concerns regarding timing of the clinic and the side effects of vaccines. There is a need to improve on communication and information flow to address the many vaccine safety concerns, such as side effects. Keywords: Childhood, Determinants, Hesitancy, Immunization, Urban.

The Immunity Community: A Community Engagement Strategy for Reducing Vaccine Hesitancy

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 654-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennie Schoeppe ◽  
Allen Cheadle ◽  
Mackenzie Melton ◽  
Todd Faubion ◽  
Creagh Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Community Intervention ◽  
Parental Knowledge ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Barriers To Success ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative Methods ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Parental concerns about vaccine safety have grown in the United States and abroad, resulting in delayed or skipped immunizations (often called “vaccine hesitancy”). To address vaccine hesitancy in Washington State, a public–private partnership of health organizations implemented and evaluated a 3-year community intervention, called the “Immunity Community.” The intervention mobilized parents who value immunization and provided them with tools to engage in positive dialogue about immunizations in their communities. The evaluation used qualitative and quantitative methods, including focus groups, interviews, and pre and post online surveys of parents, to assess perceptions about and reactions to the intervention, assess facilitators and barriers to success, and track outcomes including parental knowledge and attitudes. The program successfully engaged parent volunteers to be immunization advocates. Surveys of parents in the intervention communities showed statistically significant improvements in vaccine-related attitudes: The percentage concerned about other parents not vaccinating their children increased from 81.2% to 88.6%, and the percentage reporting themselves as “vaccine-hesitant” decreased from 22.6% to 14.0%. There were not statistically significant changes in parental behaviors. This study demonstrates the promise of using parent advocates as part of a community-based approach to reduce vaccine hesitancy.

scholarly journals Parents perceptions and intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19: Results from a cross-sectional national survey in India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bijaya Kumar Padhi ◽  
Prakasini Satapathy ◽  
Vineeth Rajagopal ◽  
Neeti Rustagi ◽  
Jatina Vij ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
High Knowledge ◽  
History Of ◽  
Child Vaccination

Background Despite the success of adult vaccination against COVID-19, providing vaccines to children remains a challenge for policymakers globally. As parents are primary decision-makers for their children, we aimed to assess parents perceptions and intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination in India. Methods A cross-sectional web-based study was designed, parents or caregivers (N=770) were recruited through snowball sampling using Google form. Cross-tabulation was performed by parents intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 virus with sociodemographic characteristics and their risk perception towards COVID-19, trust in the healthcare system, and their history of vaccine hesitancy behavior. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to compute the predictors of child vaccination intention among Indian parents. Results Seven hundred seventy parents across the country have completed the survey. Of the 770 participants, 258 (33.5%) have shown intent to vaccinate their children. The stated likelihood of child vaccination was greater among parents who had a bachelors degree or higher education (aOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.15-3.51); as well as among parents who intended to vaccinate themselves (aOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.30-4.67). Parental concerns centered around vaccine safety and side effects. Conclusion Indian parents reported high knowledge of the COVID-19 virus and were aware of the development of a novel vaccine. However, about one-third of parents intended to vaccinate their children, and about half of them were not sure whether to vaccinate their children or not against the COVID-19 virus. The study highlighted the need for health promotion strategies that promote vaccine uptake among parents.

Immunization Controversy: Understanding and Addressing Public Misconceptions and Concerns

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy K. Blackford
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
School Nurses ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Negative Report ◽  
The Media

School nurses often meet with parents who are reluctant to immunize their children. This reluctance is based on widely publicized stories about vaccine safety. Illnesses that are preventable by vaccines have become almost nonexistent, and consequently, vaccine safety concerns have increased in prominence. Often a negative report about the risk of a particular vaccine is released by the media and on the Internet before scientific evidence has been obtained. To adequately respond to parental concerns, school nurses should be aware of the historical impact of vaccine safety issues and the vaccine-related fears that are prevalent at the present time. Nurses also need to be provided with scientifically accurate information so that risk-benefit concerns regarding vaccine safety can be effectively communicated to parents. In this way, school nurses can play an important role in ensuring that the student population and the community are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

scholarly journals Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy in China: A Scoping Review of Chinese Scholarship

Vaccines ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronghui Yang ◽  
Bart Penders ◽  
Klasien Horstman
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Chinese Literature ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Chinese Studies ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
Parental Belief ◽  
Vaccination Hesitancy

Despite the well-developed Chinese National Immunization Program, vaccine hesitancy in China is rising. As part of the response, Chinese scholars have studied determinants and proposed solutions to vaccination hesitancy. We performed a scoping review of Chinese literature (2007–2019), drawn from four Chinese databases. We mapped relevant information and presented a systemic account of the proposed determinants and responses to vaccine hesitancy in China. We identified 77 relevant studies that reveal four approaches to vaccine hesitancy. Most Chinese studies define vaccine hesitancy as a problem of vaccine safety and vaccine incident response and place accountability on the level of governance, such as regulation deficits and inappropriate crisis management. A first minority of studies tied vaccination hesitancy to unprofessional medical conduct and called for additional resources and enhanced physician qualifications. A second minority of studies positioned vaccination hesitancy as a problem of parental belief and pointed to the role of media, proposing enhanced communication and education. Chinese literature ties vaccine hesitancy primarily to vaccine safety and medical conduct. Compared to international research, parental concerns are underrepresented. The Chinese context of vaccination scandals notably frames the discussion of vaccination hesitancy and potential solutions, which stresses the importance of considering vaccination hesitancy in specific social and political contexts.

scholarly journals Childhood vaccinations: knowledge, attitudes and practices of paediatricians and factors associated with their confidence in addressing parental concerns, Italy, 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonietta Filia ◽  
Antonino Bella ◽  
Fortunato D’Ancona ◽  
Massimo Fabiani ◽  
Cristina Giambi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Parental Concerns ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Background Paediatrician recommendations are known to influence parental vaccine decisions. Aim Our aim was to examine vaccination knowledge, attitudes and practices among paediatricians in Italy and identify factors associated with their confidence in addressing parental questions. Methods An electronic questionnaire survey was conducted from February to March 2016, among a sample of Italian paediatricians. Results The survey was completed by 903 paediatricians (mean age: 56 years). Of 885 who responded to the specific question, 843 (95.3%) were completely favourable to vaccinations. Sixty-six per cent (570/862) felt sufficiently knowledgeable about vaccinations and vaccine-preventable diseases to confidently discuss them with parents. Paediatricians who were male, who were 55 years or older, who had participated in training courses in the last 5 years, who reported that taking courses and reading the scientific literature had contributed to their knowledge, or who had implemented vaccination promotion activities, felt more knowledgeable than other paediatricians. When asked to rate their level of agreement with statements about vaccine safety and effectiveness, only 8.9% (80/903) responded fully as expected. One third (294/878) did not systematically verify that their patients are up to date with the immunisation schedule. Only 5.4% (48/892) correctly identified all true and false contraindications. Conclusions The majority of paediatricians in Italy are favourable to vaccination but gaps were identified between their overall positive attitudes and their knowledge, beliefs and practices. Targeted interventions are needed aimed at increasing paediatricians’ confidence in addressing parents’ concerns, strengthening trust towards health authorities and improving systems barriers.

scholarly journals Healthcare Providers’ Vaccine Perceptions, Hesitancy, and Recommendation to Patients: A Systematic Review

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 713
Author(s):  
Cheryl Lin ◽  
Jewel Mullen ◽  
Danielle Smith ◽  
Michaela Kotarba ◽  
Samantha J. Kaplan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Risk ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
Vaccine Confidence ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Demographic Impact

Despite vaccines’ effectiveness in reducing the rate of preventable diseases, vaccine hesitancy has threatened public health and economies worldwide. Healthcare providers’ (HCP) communications and behavior strongly influence patient receptivity and uptake. The goal of this review was to examine HCP vaccine perceptions, knowledge, and reservations and how these attitudes affect their recommendations and vaccination practices. Primary research studies published by 16 September 2020 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. A 14-item scale was developed for survey study and risk of bias appraisal (SSRBA). In total, 96 papers from 34 countries were included, covering 17 vaccines (HPV and influenza vaccines the most studied). Recommendation was positively associated with provider knowledge and experience, beliefs about disease risk, and perceptions of vaccine safety, necessity, and efficacy. HCP vaccination attitudes and practices varied across specialties, vaccines, and countries; demographic impact was inconclusive. Barriers included anticipation of patient/parental concerns or refusal, lacking clear guidelines, time constraints, and cost. For HPV, vaccines were more often recommended to older, female adolescents and by physicians who discussed sexual health. HCPs are vital advocates for patients and the public, but studies indicated a prevalence of provider hesitancy pertaining to inadequate knowledge, low vaccine confidence, and suboptimal uptake themselves. Improving HCP knowledge and assuring their access to information they deem trustworthy are essential to supporting HCPs‘ role as “trusted messengers” to promote vaccine acceptance.

scholarly journals Faster than warp speed: early attention to COVD-19 by anti-vaccine groups on Facebook

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth C Kalichman ◽  
Lisa A Eaton ◽  
Valerie A Earnshaw ◽  
Natalie Brousseau
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Vaccine Safety ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Government ◽  
Vaccine Information

Abstract Background The unprecedented rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines has faced SARS-CoV- (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy, which is partially fueled by the misinformation and conspiracy theories propagated by anti-vaccine groups on social media. Research is needed to better understand the early COVID-19 anti-vaccine activities on social media. Methods This study chronicles the social media posts concerning COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines by leading anti-vaccine groups (Dr Tenpenny on Vaccines, the National Vaccine Information Center [NVIC] the Vaccination Information Network [VINE]) and Vaccine Machine in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic (February–May 2020). Results Analysis of 2060 Facebook posts showed that anti-vaccine groups were discussing COVID-19 in the first week of February 2020 and were specifically discussing COVID-19 vaccines by mid-February 2020. COVID-19 posts by NVIC were more widely disseminated and showed greater influence than non-COVID-19 posts. Early COVID-19 posts concerned mistrust of vaccine safety and conspiracy theories. Conclusion Major anti-vaccine groups were sowing seeds of doubt on Facebook weeks before the US government launched its vaccine development program ‘Operation Warp Speed’. Early anti-vaccine misinformation campaigns outpaced public health messaging and hampered the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document