Addressing the Emergence of Pediatric Vaccination Concerns

Abstract

Ever since the advent of pediatric vaccination, individuals have expressed concerns about both its risks and benefits. These concerns have once again resurfaced among some segments of the population and could potentially undermine national vaccination programs. The views of the public, however, must be considered and respected in the formulation of vaccination policy. We have conducted an analysis of the pediatric vaccination "debate" in the Canadian context. We believe that there is common ground between those who support pediatric vaccination and those who are concerned about these programs. Based on our findings, we believe that the goal of public health authorities should be to maintain trust in vaccines by continuing to meet certain reciprocal responsibilities. To do so, we recommend the following: 1) increased investment in adverse event reporting systems; 2) request for proposals for consideration of a no-fault compensation program; 3) developing pre-emptive strategies to deal with potential vaccine risks; 4) further examination of mechanisms to improve communication between physicians and parents concerned about vaccination. All of these approaches would require additional investment in pediatric vaccination. However, such an investment is easy to justify given the benefits offered by pediatric vaccination and the ramifications of failing to maintain confidence in vaccination programs or missing a vaccine-related adverse event. MeSH terms: Vaccination; pediatric; policy; adverse events; risk La traduction du résumé se trouve à la fin de l'article.

Parental rights and decision making regarding vaccinations: Ethical dilemmas for the primary care provider

“…The reporting system, which is easily accessible to the public through a website, provides an active surveillance system which collects information about adverse events resulting from vaccinations nationwide (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, 2009). By monitoring adverse events, the government has the ability to ensure that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the risks (Wilson et al, 2006; see Table 4 for additional responses).…”

“…In addition, some parents may in fact believe that vaccines are important to the health of their child, but may need the reassurance that everything possible is being done to ensure their child's safety (Wilson et al, 2006). An effective way to address this issue may be to explain the program used in the United States to continuously ensure the safety of vaccines through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which is run by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Food and Drug Administration (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, 2009).…”

Mandatory Immunization of Health Care Providers

“…In the first, Gallant et al 1 advocate that a multiple intervention approach be used to increase the uptake of influenza vaccine among health care providers (HCPs). In the second, Wilson et al 2 make recommendations on increasing public confidence in the safety, and consequently the public acceptance, of paediatric immunization programs. Both of these articles have implications for an issue that needs debate and resolution in Canada: mandatory immunization of HCPs against influenza to protect from serious illness patients of treatment facilities and residents of long-term care facilities, many of whom are highly vulnerable and who trust that the health system will improve, not jeopardize, their health.…”

“…The paper by Wilson provides insight into how the concerns of HCPs about influenza vaccine may be addressed. 2 Although the paper discusses ways that public confidence in paediatric vaccine programs can be enhanced, the four-point strategy outlined is highly applicable if mandatory immunization of HCPs is implemented. It comprises:…”