Vaccine hesitancy: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 01:13, 10 February 2025

Vaccine Hesitancy[edit]

Vaccine hesitancy refers to the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccinations despite availability of vaccination services. It is a complex issue influenced by factors such as complacency, convenience, and confidence. Vaccine hesitancy is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten threats to global health.

History[edit]

The history of vaccine hesitancy dates back to the introduction of the first vaccines. Edward Jenner's development of the smallpox vaccine in the late 18th century faced opposition from some quarters. The Anti-vaccination movement has evolved over the centuries, with various groups opposing vaccines for different reasons, including religious beliefs, personal beliefs, and safety concerns.

Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy[edit]

Complacency[edit]

Complacency occurs when the perceived risks of vaccine-preventable diseases are low, leading individuals to believe that vaccination is unnecessary. This is often seen in regions where successful vaccination programs have reduced the prevalence of diseases.

Convenience[edit]

Convenience refers to the availability, affordability, and accessibility of vaccines. Barriers such as distance to healthcare facilities, cost, and time can contribute to vaccine hesitancy.

Confidence[edit]

Confidence in vaccines is influenced by trust in the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, the system that delivers them, and the motivations of policymakers. Misinformation and disinformation can erode public confidence in vaccines.

Impact[edit]

Vaccine hesitancy can lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, the measles outbreaks in the United States and Europe have been linked to declining vaccination rates. The resurgence of diseases like diphtheria and pertussis in certain areas has also been attributed to vaccine hesitancy.

Strategies to Address Vaccine Hesitancy[edit]

Efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy include public education campaigns, improving access to vaccines, and engaging with communities to build trust. The WHO and other organizations advocate for tailored strategies that address the specific concerns and barriers faced by different populations.

Related Pages[edit]

References[edit]

World Health Organization. (2019). Ten threats to global health in 2019. Retrieved from [1]
MacDonald, N. E. (2015). Vaccine hesitancy: Definition, scope and determinants. Vaccine, 33(34), 4161-4164.

Gallery[edit]

Anti-vaccination protest in Leicester, 2021
Measles cases in the US, 1938-2019
Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman, a meningococcal disease survivor
President Ford receiving a swine flu inoculation
Global agreement on the importance of vaccines for children
"The Cow Pock" by James Gillray, satirizing early vaccination
Edward Jenner, pioneer of the smallpox vaccine
Child affected by the Gloucester smallpox epidemic, 1896
"Diphtheria is Deadly" poster
COVID-19 death rates by county
Antivax protest in London
GAVI Global Alliance conference
US measles cases, 2015
Video: Ovidiu Covaciu on vaccine hesitancy

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Vaccine hesitancy refers to the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services. This complex and multifaceted issue varies across different times, locations, and specific vaccines, with a range of factors contributing to the attitudes and behaviors observed. These factors may include complacency, lack of convenience, fear of needles, or a lack of understanding about vaccine function. Vaccine hesitancy can manifest in various ways, including outright refusal of vaccines, delaying vaccination, acceptance with uncertainty, or selective vaccination. Among vaccine-hesitant individuals, a subset is referred to as 'anti-vaxxers,' who generally oppose vaccination.
+== Vaccine Hesitancy ==
-== Factors Contributing to Vaccine Hesitancy ==
+'''Vaccine hesitancy''' refers to the delay in acceptance or refusal of [[vaccination]]s despite availability of vaccination services. It is a complex issue influenced by factors such as complacency, convenience, and confidence. Vaccine hesitancy is recognized by the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) as one of the top ten threats to global health.
-Vaccine hesitancy can be influenced by a myriad of factors, often categorized under three broad components: complacency, convenience, and confidence (the '3 Cs').
-* '''Complacency''': Individuals may not perceive a need for vaccination or undervalue its benefits, often because the diseases vaccines prevent are no longer common due to successful immunization programs.
+=== History ===
-* '''Convenience''': Accessibility, affordability, and availability of vaccines can affect their uptake. This includes aspects such as the ease of getting vaccinated and the understanding of when and where vaccines are provided.
+The history of vaccine hesitancy dates back to the introduction of the first vaccines. [[Edward Jenner]]'s development of the smallpox vaccine in the late 18th century faced opposition from some quarters. The [[Anti-vaccination movement]] has evolved over the centuries, with various groups opposing vaccines for different reasons, including religious beliefs, personal beliefs, and safety concerns.
-* '''Confidence''': Trust in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, the system that delivers them, and the policymakers who decide on the need for them can significantly influence vaccine acceptance.
-== Impact of Vaccine Hesitancy ==
-Vaccine hesitancy can have serious public health implications. It undermines vaccination programs, thereby compromising herd immunity and increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. This can result in avoidable morbidity and mortality and put a strain on healthcare systems.
-== Strategies to Address Vaccine Hesitancy ==
+=== Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy ===
-Efforts to address vaccine hesitancy should be context-specific and multifaceted, targeting the specific barriers in a given community or population. Strategies may include:
+==== Complacency ====
+Complacency occurs when the perceived risks of vaccine-preventable diseases are low, leading individuals to believe that vaccination is unnecessary. This is often seen in regions where successful vaccination programs have reduced the prevalence of diseases.
+==== Convenience ====
+Convenience refers to the availability, affordability, and accessibility of vaccines. Barriers such as distance to healthcare facilities, cost, and time can contribute to vaccine hesitancy.
+==== Confidence ====
+Confidence in vaccines is influenced by trust in the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, the system that delivers them, and the motivations of policymakers. Misinformation and disinformation can erode public confidence in vaccines.
+=== Impact ===
+Vaccine hesitancy can lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, the [[measles]] outbreaks in the United States and Europe have been linked to declining vaccination rates. The resurgence of diseases like [[diphtheria]] and [[pertussis]] in certain areas has also been attributed to vaccine hesitancy.
+=== Strategies to Address Vaccine Hesitancy ===
+Efforts to combat vaccine hesitancy include public education campaigns, improving access to vaccines, and engaging with communities to build trust. The WHO and other organizations advocate for tailored strategies that address the specific concerns and barriers faced by different populations.
+== Related Pages ==
+* [[Vaccination]]
+* [[Anti-vaccination movement]]
+* [[World Health Organization]]
+* [[Measles]]
+* [[Diphtheria]]
-* '''Education and Communication''': Providing clear, accurate information about vaccines, their benefits, and their risks can help individuals make informed decisions.
-* '''Enhancing Access''': Improving the convenience and affordability of vaccination can help remove practical barriers to vaccine uptake.
-* '''Building Trust''': Engaging with communities, addressing their concerns, and involving trusted figures can help foster confidence in vaccines and the systems that deliver them.
 == References ==
+* World Health Organization. (2019). Ten threats to global health in 2019. Retrieved from [https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019]
 * MacDonald, N. E. (2015). Vaccine hesitancy: Definition, scope and determinants. Vaccine, 33(34), 4161-4164.
-* Jarrett, C., Wilson, R., O'Leary, M., Eckersberger, E., & Larson, H. J. (2015). Strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy–A systematic review. Vaccine, 33(34), 4180-4190.
-{{stub}}
+== Gallery ==
-{{Conspiracy theories}}
+<gallery>
-{{Vaccines}}
+File:Anti-vaccination_protest_near_Leicester_clock_tower,_October_2021.jpg|Anti-vaccination protest in Leicester, 2021
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Vaccine hesitancy}}
+File:Measles_US_1938-2019.png|Measles cases in the US, 1938-2019
-[[Category:Vaccine hesitancy| ]]
+File:Charlotte_Cleverley-Bisman.jpg|Charlotte Cleverley-Bisman, a meningococcal disease survivor
-[[Category:Autism pseudoscience]]
+File:President_Ford_receives_a_swine_flu_inoculation_-_NARA_-_7064718.jpg|President Ford receiving a swine flu inoculation
-[[Category: Public Health]]
+File:Share_that_agrees_that_vaccines_are_important_for_children_to_have_(Wellcome_Trust_(2019)),_OWID.svg|Global agreement on the importance of vaccines for children
-[[Category: Vaccination]]
+File:The_cow_pock.jpg|"The Cow Pock" by James Gillray, satirizing early vaccination
-[[Category: Health Psychology]]
+File:Edward_Jenner2.jpg|Edward Jenner, pioneer of the smallpox vaccine
+File:Gloucester_smallpox_epidemic,_1896;_Henry_Wicklin,_aged_6_Wellcome_V0031456.jpg|Child affected by the Gloucester smallpox epidemic, 1896
+File:Diphtheria_is_Deadly_Art.IWMPST14182.jpg|"Diphtheria is Deadly" poster
+File:202003-_Cumulative_county_COVID-19_death_rates_-_by_share_of_votes_for_Donald_Trump.svg_|COVID-19 death rates by county
+File:Antivax_protest_in_London_2.jpg|Antivax protest in London
+File:GAVI_Global_Alliance_Save_Childrens_Lives_pledging_conference_(5827417113).jpg|GAVI Global Alliance conference
+File:US_Measles_Cases_2015-07-02.jpg|US measles cases, 2015
+File:Ovidiu_Covaciu_ESC2017.webm|Video: Ovidiu Covaciu on vaccine hesitancy
+</gallery>
+[[Category:Vaccination]]
+[[Category:Public health]]