1. Perceived Effects of COVID-19 on Vaccine Hesitancy and Clinician Discussion: A Qualitative Study.
- Author
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Gurfinkel D, Tietbohl C, Clark E, Saville A, Albertin C, O'Leary ST, Szilagyi PG, and Kempe A
- Subjects
- Humans, Colorado, Female, Male, California epidemiology, Adult, Trust, Attitude of Health Personnel, Child, Interviews as Topic, COVID-19 prevention & control, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 psychology, Vaccination Hesitancy psychology, Qualitative Research, COVID-19 Vaccines, Parents psychology, Pediatricians psychology
- Abstract
Background and Objectives: Studies note a high prevalence of pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-specific vaccine hesitancy in the United States. Our objective was to assess whether clinicians perceive a spillover effect of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy onto other vaccines, and the impact of this spillover on their general recommendation behavior., Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with pediatricians in California and Colorado pediatric practices (January-March 2023). We transcribed, coded, and analyzed interviews using content analysis., Results: We interviewed 21 pediatricians (10 in California, 11 in Colorado). Clinicians observed some spillover effect of vaccine-favorable changes among some parents and greater hesitancy among others regarding the risks and benefits of childhood vaccination in general. This spillover was informed by 2 divergent patterns of parental trust in health systems and individual clinicians caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors driving perceived changes included media coverage, greater knowledge about vaccination, and misinformation. Some clinicians felt that their approach to vaccine recommendations became more patient-centered, whereas others reported declining engagement in persuading hesitant parents about vaccination., Conclusions: Clinicians described a hardening of parental views toward vaccines in both directions, which impacted their recommendation behavior. There is a need for vaccine hesitancy monitoring and better training and support for clinicians facing vaccine hesitant parents., (Copyright © 2024 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)
- Published
- 2024
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