A Systematic Review of Methods to Improve Attitudes Towards Childhood Vaccinations

Abstract

Although measles was eradicated in the United States in 2000, there has been an increasing number of cases. As of April 4, 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 465 cases of measles as compared to 372 in 2018. Pockets of unvaccinated communities and travelers bringing measles from countries with large outbreaks are attributed to the rise in cases in the United States. With the increasing anti-vaccine sentiment, it’s imperative to take preventative measures to avoid the proliferation of deadly diseases. The objective of this study was to determine effective techniques to decrease vaccine refusal and increase the childhood vaccination rate. To this effect, a systematic review of English peer-reviewed articles published in the years 2000 to 2019 using Arizona State University’s online database was conducted. The titles, abstracts, and discussions for each journal article were screened for methods that promote vaccination. Any articles that included vaccine development, promoting vaccination coverage rate in developing countries, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and animals, and promoting the uptake of vaccines that aren’t part of CDC’s seven-vaccine series were excluded. A total of nine journal articles were identified, including five systematic reviews, one case study, a randomized controlled trial, a literature review, and a quasi-experimental study. The methods discovered pertained to three themes: technological, mass marketing or campaigning, and direct communication. The Guide to Tailored Immunization Programme (TIP) in conjunction with visually enhanced educational materials and storytelling articles were found to be effective tools in encouraging vaccination coverage. The basis of any strategy is determining the perspective and needs of the target population and tailoring the approaches to match them to alleviate barriers that hinder vaccination uptake. The use of technology perpetuates the efficacy of social marketing strategies, further promoting vaccines and their benefits.

Dual-process theories to counter the anti-vaccination movement

“…In fact, recent studies show that narrative messages about experiences of infectious disease increase the audience’s risk perception of developing the disease and their vaccination intention to prevent the disease to a greater degree than do didactic messages using statistics ( De Wit et al, 2008 , Nan et al, 2015 , Okuhara et al, 2018c ). A recent systematic review concluded that storytelling materials were found to be effective in increasing vaccination coverage ( Nour, 2019 ). Several models such as the transportation-imagery model ( Green and Brock, 2000 ) have been proposed to explain the influence of narratives.…”

“…Studies have shown that a message with high cognitive ease significantly increased self-efficacy ( Okuhara et al, 2020 ), behavioral intention ( Song and Schwarz, 2008 ), and actual behavior ( Okuhara et al, 2018d ) in comparison with a message with low cognitive ease. A recent systematic review found that visually enhanced and easily processed educational materials are more effective in increasing vaccination coverage ( Nour, 2019 ).…”

Cobertura vacinal da Pentavalente e da Estratégia de Saúde da Família

“…Trata-se de um conjunto de comportamentos que podem estar influenciados por movimentos antivacinas, fazendo com que algumas pessoas posterguem a vacinação baseadas em convicções que justificam tal tomada de decisão. [5][6] Já a recusa vacinal ocorre quando o indivíduo nega todo e qualquer tipo de imunobiológico pelos mais variados motivos: princípios filosóficos ou religiosos, aspectos socioculturais, baixa percepção do risco de doenças, questionamentos sobre a eficácia das vacinas e orientação médica. 5 Atualmente, o movimento antivacina ganha notoriedade devido à mobilização da sociedade contra a vacinação compulsória.…”

“…[5][6] Já a recusa vacinal ocorre quando o indivíduo nega todo e qualquer tipo de imunobiológico pelos mais variados motivos: princípios filosóficos ou religiosos, aspectos socioculturais, baixa percepção do risco de doenças, questionamentos sobre a eficácia das vacinas e orientação médica. 5 Atualmente, o movimento antivacina ganha notoriedade devido à mobilização da sociedade contra a vacinação compulsória. Este movimento acredita que: o sistema imunológico da criança é incapaz de processar todo o número de antígeno aplicado; a vacinação causa doenças autoimunes; e a imunização desenvolvida ao se adquirir a doença é mais eficaz e segura do que a vacina.…”

“…Este movimento acredita que: o sistema imunológico da criança é incapaz de processar todo o número de antígeno aplicado; a vacinação causa doenças autoimunes; e a imunização desenvolvida ao se adquirir a doença é mais eficaz e segura do que a vacina. 5 A propagação de informações falsas em mídias sociais reforça tais ideias, o que aumenta a insuficiência do bloqueio de doenças imunopreveníveis. A equipe de enfermagem é a responsável pela sala de vacinas e por todo o processo de armazenamento, preparo e aplicação dos imunobiológicos na APS, além do controle da cobertura vacinal, busca de faltosos e os registros eletrônicos e manuais adequados, medidas que garantem assim a qualidade dos imunobiológicos até o usuário final.…”