Misinformaion and its impact on measles vaccine hesitancy in the pediatric population: A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Communication Studies

Background:

• Misinformation poses a significant threat to public health initiatives, particularly concerning vaccine uptake.
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue influenced by various informational and social factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize existing literature on the relationship between misinformation and MMR vaccine hesitancy.
• To identify research gaps concerning the impact of misinformation on vaccine decisions.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's framework.
• Literature searches were performed across multiple databases (PubMed, Academic Search Complete, CINHAL, EBSCOHost) for studies published between January 2020 and December 2024.
• Inclusion criteria focused on English-language articles addressing MMR vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.

Main Results:

• Analysis of 23 studies revealed that misinformation from social media, religious groups, and online searches influences MMR vaccine hesitancy.
• A correlation was observed between declining vaccination rates and the spread of misinformation on social media platforms.
• Current communication strategies and interventions have demonstrated limited efficacy in combating vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusions:

• Despite established immunization benefits, understanding parental vaccine decision-making, especially concerning misinformation, requires further investigation.
• Key research gaps include quantifying the pervasiveness of misinformation, improving intervention efficacy, and developing cohesive theoretical frameworks.
• Nurses play a crucial role in parental education; future research should explore theoretical frameworks for understanding parental decisions influenced by social interactions and shared beliefs.