Vaccine hesitancy

Addressing vaccine hesitancy: Clinical guidance for primary care physicians working with parents

Combating Vaccine Hesitancy: Teaching the Next Generation to Navigate Through the Post Truth Era

Despite scientific evidence supporting the fact that vaccines are fundamental tools for preventing infectious diseases, a percentage of the population still refuses some or all of them. Vaccine hesitancy has become a widespread issue, and its complexity lies in the great variety of factors that can influence decisions about immunization, which are not just vaccine-related concerns, but also involve personal and societal levels. Our research group performed an extensive literature review to analyze: (1) different age groups, their relation to the problem and their characteristics; (2) the most important information (key messages) about immunization that could be used to counteract hesitancy; and (3) best approaches to transmit the messages to the target groups. We propose a long-term approach to overcome vaccine hesitancy that involves the education of children and adolescents on the basics about immunization and critical thinking, using different communication channels.

The Salzburg Statement on Vaccination Acceptance

Immunization represents one of the greatest public health achievements. Vaccines save lives, make communities more productive and strengthen health systems. They are critical to attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Vaccination also represents value for investment in public health. It is undisputedly one of the most cost-effective ways of avoiding disease, each year preventing 2–3 million deaths globally.

Concerned scientists, public health professionals, physicians, and child health advocates issue this Salzburg Statement along with the International Working Group on Vaccination and Public Health Solutions, proclaiming their unwavering commitment to universal childhood vaccination, and their pledge to support the development, testing, implementation, and evaluation of new, effective, and fact-based communication programs.

The goal is to explain vaccinations to parents or caregivers, answer their questions, address their concerns, and maintain public confidence in the personal, family and community protection that childhood vaccines provide. Every effort will also be made to communicate the dangers associated with these childhood illnesses to parents and communities since this information seems to have been lost in the present-day narrative. While vaccine misinformation has led to serious declines in community vaccination rates that require immediate attention, in other communities, particularly in low-income countries, issues such as lack of access. and unstable supply of vaccines need to be addressed.

Addressing vaccine hesitancy in immunization programs, clinics and practices

This practice point offers evidence-based guidance for provincial/territorial immunization programs, clinics and office practices on how to address hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake rates. Steps to take include the following: 1) Detecting under-immunized subgroups (which requires record-keeping), diagnosis and targeted interventions; 2) Educating all health care workers involved with immunization on best practices; 3) Employing evidence-based strategies to increase uptake, including reminders, convenient clinic hours and locations, and tailored communication; 4) Educating children, youth and adults on the importance of immunization for health; and  5) Working collaboratively across provincial/territorial jurisdictions and with the federal government, nongovernmental organizations, community leaders and health services.

Contrer la réticence face à la vaccination dans les programmes de vaccination, les cliniques et les cabinets

Le présent point de pratique contient des conseils fondés sur des données probantes à l’intention des programmes de vaccination provinciaux et territoriaux, des cliniques et des cabinets afin de contrer la réticence face à la vaccination et d’améliorer les taux de vaccination. Les étapes à privilégier s’établissent comme suit : 1) définir les sous-groupes sous-vaccinés (ce qui exige la tenue de registres), les facteurs responsables de la réticence face à la vaccination et les interventions ciblées; 2) enseigner les pratiques exemplaires à tous les dispensateurs de soins qui participent à la vaccination; 3) faire appel à des stratégies fondées sur des données probantes pour accroître les taux de vaccination, y compris les rappels, un emplacement des cliniques et des heures d’ouverture pratiques et des communications adaptées; 4) informer les enfants, les adolescents et les adultes de l’importance de la vaccination pour la santé et 5) travailler en collaboration avec les régions sociosanitaires provinciales et territoriales et avec le gouvernement fédéral, les organismes non gouvernementaux, les leaders communautaires et les services de santé.

La « littératie vaccinale » : les stratégies et connaissances pour promouvoir la vaccination

La littératie en santé influence la capacité des gens à s’engager dans des activités de prévention. Parmi les trois déterminants de l’hésitation vaccinale – la confiance, la complaisance et la commodité – le dernier est concerné lorsque, entre autres facteurs, la capacité à comprendre (savoir le langage) peut avoir un impact sur la décision de se faire vacciner.

Les parents qui hésitent à faire vacciner leurs enfants : une mise à jour

La plupart des parents canadiens s’assurent que leurs enfants soient vaccinés aux moments prévus, mais les dispensateurs de soins rencontrent souvent des parents réticents face à la vaccination ou qui refusent les vaccins recommandés. Le présent point de pratique propose aux cliniciens des conseils fondés sur des données probantes afin de composer avec les parents qui hésitent à faire vacciner leur enfant. Les étapes s’établissent comme suit : 1) Comprendre le rôle essentiel du dispensateur de soins dans la prise de décision des parents et ne pas exclure de sa pratique ceux qui refusent la vaccination; 2) utiliser des techniques d’entrevue axées sur la présomption et la motivation pour cibler les inquiétudes précises à l’égard des vaccins; 3) dans une langue claire et concrète, présenter avec justesse et précision les données démontrant les risques des maladies et les avantages des vaccins; 4) soulager la douleur causée par la vaccination et 5) insister sur le fait que la « protection collective » n’est pas garante d’une protection individuelle. La vaccination est l’une des mesures de santé préventives les plus importantes, puisqu’elle a sauvé des millions de vies. Il est prioritaire de répondre aux inquiétudes des parents qui hésitent à faire vacciner leurs enfants.

Reasons for non-vaccination: Parental vaccine hesitancy and the childhood influenza vaccination school pilot programme in England

The aim of this study was to explore the reasons some parents decided not to vaccinate their child against influenza as part of the pilot programme offered in [UK] schools.

The vaccine hesitancy scale: Psychometric properties and validation

The SAGE Working Group on Vaccine Hesitancy developed a vaccine hesitancy measure, the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS). This scale has the potential to aid in the advancement of research and immunization policy but has not yet been psychometrically evaluated.

Vaccine hesitancy, refusal and access barriers: The need for clarity in terminology

Although vaccination uptake is high in most countries, pockets of sub-optimal coverage remain, posing a threat to individual and population immunity. Increasingly, the term ‘vaccine hesitancy’ is being used by experts and commentators to explain sub-optimal vaccination coverage. The authors contend that using this term to explain all partial or non-immunization risks generating solutions that are a poor match for the problem in a particular community or population. The authors propose more precision in the term ‘vaccine hesitancy’ is needed, particularly since much under-vaccination arises from factors related to access or pragmatics.