Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programme

Abstract

IntroductionVaccine hesitancy is a complex public health issue referring to concerns about the safety, efficacy or need for vaccination. Relatively little is known about vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland. This ongoing study (2017–2021) focuses on biomedical and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers and their patients since healthcare professionals play important roles in vaccination decision-making. This national research programme seeks to assess the sociocultural determinants of vaccine hesitancy regarding childhood and human papillomavirus vaccines in Switzerland. We aim to provide a detailed characterisation of vaccine hesitancy, including CAM and biomedical perspectives, patient–provider interactions, and sociocultural factors, to establish the mediating effects of vaccine hesitancy on underimmunisation, and to design an intervention to improve vaccination communication and counselling among physicians, parents and adolescents.Methods and analysisOur transdisciplinary team employs a sequential exploratory mixed-methods study design. We have established a network of more than 150 medical providers across Switzerland, including more than 40 CAM practitioners. For the qualitative component, we conduct interviews with parents, youth, and biomedical and CAM providers and observations of vaccination consultations and school vaccination information sessions. For the quantitative component, a sample of 1350 parents of young children and 722 young adults (15–26 years) and their medical providers respond to questionnaires. We measure vaccine hesitancy with the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines 15-item survey and review vaccination certificates to assess vaccination status. We administer additional questions based on findings from qualitative research, addressing communication with medical providers, vaccine information sources and perceptions of risk control vis-à-vis vaccine-preventable diseases. The questionnaires capture sociodemographics, political views, religion and spirituality, and moral foundations.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the local ethics committee. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to healthcare professionals, researchers and the public via conferences and public presentations.

Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Vaccination Among Young Adults in Zurich, Switzerland, September 2020

“…Switzerland values plurality and policy diversity among its different cantons; this is reflected in the cantons' different immunization programs and outcomes. Deficiencies in vaccine compliance among cantons have been attributed to differing priorities and practices of policy makers and attitudes of vaccine gate-keepers (e.g., nurses, general practitioners) and engagement in alternative health care and education pedagogies [32,53,62]. Swiss communities report an openness to public programs if their autonomous decision-making is respected [62][63][64][65][66].…”

Willingness to Take COVID-19 Vaccine Among People Most at Risk of Exposure in Southern Ethiopia

“…In addition to the fact that the determinants of vaccine hesitancy and compliance are not fully understood and hence require further study, 34 researchers found that there is no universally accepted reality regarding the issue and recommended context-specific research. 6 The objective of the present study was, therefore, to examine willingness to take a Covid-19 vaccine among people working in occupations that put employees relatively at a higher risk of infection with Covid-19 in Wolaita Sodo town, Southern Ethiopia.…”

Collaborating with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Providers When Writing HPV Vaccine Review Articles

“…Studies show a complex association between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and VH [11], with popular narratives typically decrying CAM users and providers as categorically anti-vaccine [12]. However, research conducted in the setting of our national research program on VH [13,14] has suggested that providers of CAM in Switzerland are not categorically anti-vaccine. They prefer providing individualized vaccination counseling, which includes taking time to understand parent vaccine wishes, involving parents in vaccine decisions, and taking their vaccine concerns seriously [15].…”

“…Be aware of one of the major determinants of vaccine hesitancy: the prevalent perception that the health authorities are collaborating with and/or influenced by vaccine manufacturers On a larger scale, our ongoing National Research Program on vaccine hesitancy [13,14] has recruited a network of more than 150 medical professionals throughout Switzerland, including more than 40 CAM practitioners. Given the popularity and interest towards CAM of the Swiss population [21,22] and from pediatricians [26], the incorporation of CAM perspectives and engagement with practitioners of both CAM and biomedicine into vaccination communication strategies is, in our view, a feasible, innovative, and reasonable approach to addressing VH in the Swiss context.…”