Vaccine hesitancy : Report of a student study group

Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2020 May;132(9-10):243-252. doi: 10.1007/s00508-020-01655-4. Epub 2020 Apr 22.

Abstract

In summer 2019 an extracurricular activity was started at the Medical University of Vienna (MUW) with the title: "Esoterism in Medicine", where different chapters were evaluated by students. Here we present the subheading "Vaccine Hesitancy". Three students formulated arguments from sceptic, hesitant or anti-vaccine groups and discussed the scientific literature to rebut it. Frequent objections were partly taken from the homepage of the German Robert-Koch-Institute, the home of the "Ständige Impfkommission". Other objections were taken from blogs and social media. The students' rebuttal was based on current scientific literature (preferentially pubmed), but also from other scientific sources like authorities.

Keywords: Anti-vaccine groups; Vaccine hesitancy; Vaccine sceptics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Parents
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Students
  • Vaccination*
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • Vaccines