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Parental vaccine refusal in Wisconsin: a case-control study
Daniel A Salmon1, Mark J Sotir, William K Pan
1Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Summary
Parents of children with nonmedical vaccine exemptions often fear vaccine harm. Even parents of vaccinated children express concerns about vaccine safety and necessity, highlighting a need for better vaccine communication.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Immunization
- Vaccine Hesitancy
Background:
- Immunization programs have reduced disease fears but increased vaccine fears.
- Children with nonmedical vaccine exemptions pose a disease transmission risk.
- Parental vaccine attitudes and information sources differ between exempt and vaccinated groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore differences in vaccine attitudes, beliefs, and information sources.
- To compare parents of children with nonmedical exemptions versus fully vaccinated children.
Main Methods:
- Survey distributed to parents of children with nonmedical exemptions (cases) and fully vaccinated children (controls).
- Data collected on vaccine refusal, reasons for exemption, and concerns about vaccine safety.
Main Results:
- Varicella and hepatitis B vaccines were most refused by exempt children.
- Primary reason for exemption was perceived vaccine harm (57%).
- Parents of vaccinated children showed less concern about safety and necessity but still had safety worries.
Conclusions:
- Improved communication strategies for vaccine safety information are essential.
- Further research is needed to understand parental vaccine safety concerns.
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