Beginning to address vaccine reluctance and refusal

Abstract

Those who refuse immunizations are risks to the public health. Others who are vaccine reluctant are also problematic because they may reinforce the uncertainties of others and refuse vaccines in the future. Common to the multiple, complex causes of vaccine reluctance and refusal is the fact that many have little knowledge about microbiology, infectious diseases, or public health. Consequently, it is not surprising that many have questions about vaccines, find making vaccine decisions difficult, and are vulnerable to vaccine misinformation. Therefore, improving the knowledge of consumers about these biologic sciences would seem to be essential to begin addressing vaccine reluctance and refusal. This would be most effective if it were accomplished before they need to begin to make vaccine decisions.