Critical Vaccine Communication: How Do We Shift Immunization Hesitancy?

Vaccines are so successful that many people have never seen the diseases they prevent, resulting in misperceptions that vaccines are not needed. While anti-vaccination sentiment and misinformation increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, about 88% of Americans still say they feel the overall benefits of childhood vaccines outweigh the risks. Communicating vaccine science to the public is even more crucial than in times past. It’s up to our doctors and medical experts to relay factual information that is backed by science and supported by research. Without receiving proper vaccinations, preventable diseases will keep recurring.  

Listen to our pediatric expert discuss vaccine hesitancy

In this episode, Paul Offit, MD, joins us to discuss his path from a polio ward at the age of 5 to infectious disease prevention and vaccine advocacy.  

Dr. Offit is a professor of vaccinology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, an attending physician of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the director of the Vaccine Education Center.  

In this episode, we discuss:

• Reasons why people have become so hesitant about vaccines 
• The risks of rolling back school vaccine mandates 
• The rise of mRNA vaccines 
• Boosters and impact on post-COVID conditions 
• Misconceptions and stigmas around vaccine science and safety 
• Societal trust in vaccines Vaccine communications