Parental vaccine hesitancy: scope, causes, and potential responses

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Parental vaccine hesitancy is a significant global challenge impacting child health.
• Understanding the evolving patterns and causes of hesitancy is critical for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize recent literature (October 2019-April 2021) on parental vaccine hesitancy.
• To describe the patterns, causes, and interventions related to parental vaccine hesitancy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review focusing on publications within a defined timeframe.
• Analysis of studies on prevalence, contributing factors, psychological underpinnings, and intervention effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Vaccine hesitancy is influenced by concerns about vaccine need, safety, and efficacy, alongside sociodemographic and contextual factors.
• Cognitive biases, personal values, and social norms play a role in parental decision-making regarding vaccinations.
• Effective interventions include presumptive recommendations, motivational interviewing, and improved immunization delivery systems.

Conclusions:

• Parental vaccine hesitancy poses an ongoing threat to child health and requires continued research and intervention.
• Future research should prioritize interventional studies and global surveillance of vaccine hesitancy and online misinformation.