Discuss the challenge of vaccine hesitancy

According to WHO, vaccine hesitancy refers to delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccine services. • Is complex and context specific varying across time, place and vaccines. It has been reported in more than 90% of countries in the world.

Causes

• Media platforms (including social media) have been enormously influential in the spread of vaccine hesitancy.
• Lack of transparency surrounding the roll-out of the COVID vaccines
• Geographical distance was common to many, as well as the costs of getting to the health centre2000’s Muslims in Uttar Pradesh had a misconception over of oral poliovirus vaccines (OPV) causing infertility and was ‘ineffective’. Due to this reason, there was a 5 times ..times low uptake of OPV.
• The propaganda that the vaccine was derived from animal products which is forbidden by Islamic law.
• A 2018 study found low awareness to be the main reason why 45% of children missed different vaccinations in 121 Indian districts that have higher rates of unimmunized children. While 24% did not get vaccinated due to apprehension about adverse effects
• Vaccine-derived diseases

Case study

• Italy includes a set of vaccinations that are mandatory by law for all newborns. Mandatory childhood vaccinations are guaranteed free of charge for all Italians as well as foreign children who live in the country, and they are delivered in different doses up to 24 months of age
• In Australia, parents of children who are not vaccinated are denied the universal Family Allowance welfare payments 

Steps to counter 

• The spread of fake news and misinformation on social media is blamed as a primary cause of vaccine hesitancy, which is one of the major threats to global health, according to the World Health Organization.
• Mass campaign that involves voluntary effort on the part of the public can succeed only
• When transparency and open communication channels are the tools for Physicians advice has been shown to be the most important predictor of vaccine acceptance.
• governments and health policy makers also play an essential role in promoting vaccination, educating the general public, and implementing policies that reduce the public health risks associated with vaccine hesitancy.
• collaborative effort between paediatricians, family doctors, parents, public health officials, governments, the technology sector, and civil society will allow myths and misinformation around vaccination to be dispelled.
• Addressing low vaccination requires an adequate understanding of the determinants of the problem, tailored evidence-based strategies to improve uptake, and monitoring and evaluation to determine the impact and sustainability of the interventions.
• Building trust: SabkaSaath, SabkaVikas’, is very relevant here, Vaccine manufacturers can provide honest information about side effects and reassurance
• Digital platforms can be requested to make sure that users only get to see the credible, science-based information about the vaccines.
• The influential person or celebrities should come forward to dispel the myths leading to Vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusion

Only a collaborative effort between paediatricians, family doctors, parents, public health officials, governments, the technology sector, and civil society will allow myths and misinformation around vaccination to be dispelled. Vaccine hesitancy is threatening the historical achievements made in reducing the burden of infectious diseases, which have plagued humanity for centuries.