By Laura Piscaglia, CMA-AAMA, CPC, Medical Office Technician Coordinator, Midstate College
With the growth of the anti-vaccination movement, are we doomed to see a resurge of devastating diseases of the past that can cause numerous debilitating effects, as well as death? Is there a disconnection between parents and healthcare providers that has caused a mistrust of the healthcare industry? Have many in society come to believe that possible side effects of vaccinations are more distressing than the effects of the diseases themselves? If so, what steps can be taken to decrease the risk of these events happening?
Background of the problem
The anti-vaccination movement is still in full swing today. More parents are refusing vaccination for their children. The reasons for refusal today do not differ much from reasons of the past. “Some parents may object to immunization on religious or philosophical grounds, some may object to what seems to be a painful assault on their child, and others may believe that the benefits of immunizations do not justify the risks to their child” (Diekema, 2005). Many of these fears come from information that the parents found on the Internet and have caused issues for today’s physicians. “These anti-vaccine information sources not only propagate unproven claims regarding vaccines but also may undermine the physician-family relationship by challenging the parents’ trust of the medical professional” (Diekema, 2005).
“The concept of vaccination, which essentially involves using prophylactic exposure to a disease to trick the body into developing immunity, was controversial from its beginnings” (Mihm, 2015). Anxieties and fears caused many to refuse vaccination, but, in general, those involved with the anti-vaccination movements were known to be “affluent, well-educated, and fond of progressive causes” (Mihm, 2015). This trend still holds true today. Many who have chosen not to vaccinate their children have done their research. In the 19th century, the anti-vaccination movement distributed their information through tracts, books, and journals such as the Anti-Vaccinator, National Anti-Compulsory Vaccination Reporter, and the Vaccination Inquirer (Wolfe, 2002). Today, information is spread through the Internet and social media. A quick Facebook search provided several anti-vaccination groups from around the world; some were private groups with thousands of members. By doing a Google search on the key term “vaccine refusal,” 3,340,000 results could be found.
Purpose of study
A study performed through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center was designed to research vaccination refusal. The purpose of this study was to show that parents who do not to vaccinate their children are doing their research. This study showed that the information parents are finding on the Internet has a bigger impact on their decision than the information provided by healthcare professionals. The information provided by the healthcare professionals must include risks and side effects. Combine these risks and side effects with emotional anti-vaccination stories and parents are more fearful of the risks and side effects than they are of the diseases themselves. This, in part, is because many have never experienced or seen the effects of the diseases. They have never known anyone who became blind, crippled, or even died from these diseases. They have never experienced the fears associated with the spread of these diseases. Instead, they are told of the side effects of the vaccinations and this is what they fear although the risks are minimal.
By proving that anti-vaccination information on the Internet is easy to find and understand and comparing it to the information provided by the healthcare providers that is complicated and statistical, this study helped to prove the need for a new approach for delivery of fact-based information provided by the medical community. Opening the lines of communication and trust between the patients and healthcare providers is necessary in order to improve vaccination compliance.
Conclusion
A study on this subject, through the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, was designed around two research questions:
• Does information on the Internet have a bigger influence on a parent’s decision to not vaccinate than information provided by the healthcare professionals?
• Do parents who chose to vaccinate their children do Internet research or do they make their decisions based on information provided by healthcare professionals?
Based on information collected in the survey, it is evident that the Internet and Facebook have a big influence over a parent’s decision to vaccinate. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of the pro-vaccine group utilized the Internet and Facebook for their research. Seventy-nine percent (79%) on the anti-vaccine group used these sources. This, along with the lower pediatrician trust levels, provides evidence that the Internet has a bigger influence on the anti-vaccine parent’s vaccination decision.
The research also provides strong evidence that parents are doing Internet research when making these decisions. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of the pro-vaccine group did their own research where one hundred percent (100%) of the anti-vaccine group researched vaccines.
As previously stated, 68 percent of the pro-vaccine group and 79 percent of the anti-vaccine group have used the Internet and Facebook for information.
Recommendations
Parents that have concerns in regards to vaccinations should not be afraid to communicate these concerns to the healthcare providers. As parents, you pay for your provider’s time and advice, so have them thoroughly educate you and answer all your questions in regards to vaccinations. If you do your own research, discuss that research with the healthcare provider and get their input. Although there is a lot of great information on the Internet, remember that not everything out there is accurate. Sometimes, it can be difficult to know what is true. Work together as a team to make the best decisions for your child and those around them.
For more information about Midstate College, please visit www.midstate.edu or call 309-692-4092. Registration is now open!
Sources available upon request.