The public health community has gotten markedly better at distributing effective vaccines to the children who need them. But researchers are noticing an increase in mistrust of vaccines around the world, and they're concerned that unfounded suspicions could derail immunization programs essential to saving lives.

One in eight American parents has refused at least one vaccine recommended for their children by their family doctor, according to a study published in Journal of Pediatrics. Therefore, even if only ten of 100 people refuse vaccines but most of them live in the same neighborhood, the likelihood of outbreaks increases due to local breakdown of herd immunity.

Fears and suspicions around vaccine safety have already contributed to a slight decline in vaccination rates in the U.S.

Vaccine distrust can evolve out of cultural, religious, ethical or sometimes economic or political reasons.

Suspicion and apprehension about vaccination is fairly common, particularly among several specific disenfranchised communities in the United States and internationally. For these communities, the suspicion is best understood in a social and historical context of inequality and mistrust. For example, several studies have found that the legacy of racism in medicine and the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, a clinical trial conducted with African Americans who were denied appropriate treatment opportunities, are key factors underlying African Americans’ distrust of medical and public health interventions, including vaccination.

Through a historical and cultural overview, the focus of this presentation will be on solutions to building and sustaining trust with those who accept and support vaccines, while working to understand and address the growing confidence gap. 

Addressing mothers’ concerns about immunization is important both from an ethical perspective, in assuring that they are fully informed of the risks and benefits of immunizations, as well as from a practical one, in reducing the possibility that people will decide not to immunize themselves or their child. Changes, particularly, in the childhood immunization process should be made to reduce parental concern about vaccine safety. Some changes that may be considered include improved provider communication about immunizations and additional tailored information about the necessity and safety of vaccines.