Abstract
Novel strategies are needed to address vaccine hesitancy (VH), which correlates with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In Switzerland, CAM providers play important roles in vaccine counseling of vaccine hesitant (VH) parents, and traditional vaccination messaging tends to overlook CAM provider perspectives. In the setting of a Swiss national research program on VH, our key strategy has been to work together closely with CAM providers. To assess the feasibility of generating educational human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine materials that would interest VH healthcare providers (HCPs), we invited four CAM providers to co-author two HPV vaccine review articles for general practitioners. We conducted thematic analysis of CAM provider comments to identify patterns that could complement and improve vaccination messaging from CAM perspectives. We identified several themes and generated an inventory of CAM provider messaging recommendations related to language use, presentation of background information, nuanced statements regarding HPV vaccine efficacy and safety, and communication tools that would be important to VH HCPs. Contrary to our initial expectations, and in an inclusive, respectful atmosphere of open dialogue, we were able to productively finalize our manuscripts. In the opinion of the CAM co-authors, the manuscripts effectively considered the communication needs and perspectives of VH HCPs. Engaging with CAM providers appears to be a feasible and innovative avenue for providing vaccine information and designing communication tools aimed at VH healthcare providers.
Highlights
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed vaccine hesitancy (VH) as one of 10 major threats to global health [1]
Through analysis of four complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) doctor recommendations for two manuscripts, we identified several patterns, which allowed us to group data into five overarching themes related to language and terminology, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine efficacy, safety, communication tools for clinical consultation, and other important points deserving elaboration
An overarching criticism was that the manuscripts appeared to be peddling pro-vaccination “propaganda”, which the CAM doctors argued would be unacceptable for VH healthcare providers (HCPs)
Summary
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed vaccine hesitancy (VH) as one of 10 major threats to global health [1]. -A well-balanced article should begin with extensive background information on HPV infection (natural history, complications), rather than HPV vaccine -Mention and underline that: -The recommendation to vaccinate boys and young men is not yet well known among general practitioners, rather than stating that we “ we need to introduce the vaccine” in young men. -The financial aspects surrounding HPV vaccine should not be kept secret, as has been the case until now This secrecy is a major driver of vaccine hesitancy -The high cost of HPV vaccines should be discussed appropriately. Please clarify whether taxpayer money is being used to subsidize the vaccine
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