Vaccine refusal
Channel: JAM paeds
Date: 2020-11-18

Vaccine hesitancy /refusal has existed since the time vaccine was invented. But even now it is prevalent and it keeps on growing. There are many factors which are behind its growth. In a particular area or even in a particular individual there could be more than one factor influencing it. These factors have to be dealt with and vaccine hesitancy which is a disease like condition has to be cured.
The pediatrician is the most important person whose involvement is essential to curb this hesitancy /refusal towards vaccine. The pediatrician could communicate with the hesitant parents and deal with their issues individually. It’s important for the parents to know the possible dangers of not getting their child vaccinated and the seriousness of the disease that could be avoided through vaccination. They should be ensured about the safety of each and every vaccine and the benefits of the immunization. As the education level in the population is increasing the parents are getting more eager to know about the details of the vaccines. And as a pediatrician it is their duty to provide that knowledge to them.