Immunization programs affected by public concerns

Monitoring and analysis of vaccine concerns could help immunization programs adapt more effective and timely strategies to address public concerns, according to study results published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. “Although immunization has successfully reduced the global burden of illness and death, a range of concerns have converged to affect public confidence in vaccines,” researchers wrote. “When confidence in vaccination breaks down, hesitancy can lead to delays and refusal, disrupting research and delivery programs, and sometimes leading to disease outbreaks.” The study included 10,380 reports from 144 countries regarding vaccines, vaccination programs and vaccine-preventable diseases collected between May 1, 2011, and April 30, 2012. Researchers found that 60% of the reports contained positive or neutral content and 31% contained negative content. Of the negative reports, 24% were related to vaccine programs and disease outbreaks; 21% to beliefs, awareness and perception; 16% to vaccine safety and 16% to vaccine delivery programs. “We now have a growing...