State of Vaccine Hesitancy in the United States

Glen J Nowak; Michael A Cacciatore

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2022.11.001

State of Vaccine Hesitancy in the United States

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2023 Apr;70(2):197-210. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2022.11.001.

Authors

Glen J Nowak¹, Michael A Cacciatore²

Affiliations

¹ Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, Grady Center for Health and Risk Communication, University of Georgia, 120 Hooper Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA. Electronic address: gnowak@uga.edu.
² Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, Grady Center for Health and Risk Communication, University of Georgia, 120 Hooper Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA.

PMID: 36841590
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2022.11.001

Abstract

Although the term "vaccine hesitancy" has achieved great prominence, the extent to which US parents have reluctance, doubts, or indecision when it comes to vaccines recommended for children and how such hesitancy is manifest are unclear. A narrative review approach that placed emphasis on recent data and published work is used to surface evidence and insights into the current state of US parent vaccine hesitancy. The assessment finds evidence that ∼6% to 25% of parents may be vaccine hesitant, that hesitancy is higher for influenza and HPV vaccines, and there are indications that addressing parent hesitancy has become more challenging.

Keywords: Childhood vaccines; Vaccine acceptance; Vaccine confidence; Vaccine hesitancy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Influenza Vaccines*
Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
Parents
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
United States
Vaccination
Vaccines*

Substances

Vaccines
Influenza Vaccines