Recent statistics show a concerning rise in vaccine hesitancy, with global immunisation coverage stagnating in recent years. In our latest M3 Pulse survey, over 6,000 doctors and patients worldwide shared their views on vaccine discussions. Find out what information makes people feel safer about vaccines and which aspects doctors prioritise when educating patients about vaccines.
Read more about vaccine hesitancy and the survey results here:
Vaccines have been crucial in protecting public health, significantly reducing disease incidence, and saving lives from diseases like smallpox, polio, and measles. Immunisation is one of the most cost-effective public health strategies, saving 2 to 3 million lives annually.*
Between 2000 and 2018, global measles deaths decreased by 73%, saving approximately 23.2 million children’s lives. However, vaccine hesitancy has recently led to a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles.
Read more about the measles outbreak here.
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened misinformation and scepticism, causing a decline in vaccination rates. In 2021, WHO reported that DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) vaccine coverage fell to 81%, the lowest since 2008, leaving 25 million children unvaccinated and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks globally.
What is Vaccine Hesitancy? Definition and History
Vaccine hesitancy is not just about delay of acceptance or refusal of immunizations but also encompasses a range of attitudes that include scepticism, concern, or uncertainty about vaccines, even when they are readily available. It can stem from a variety of factors, including concerns about vaccine safety, misinformation, distrust in medical systems, cultural or religious beliefs, and personal experiences.
Vaccine hesitancy exists on a spectrum, where individuals might not fully reject vaccines but may feel unsure or need more information before making a decision. Addressing these concerns requires empathy, clear communication, and evidence-based information to build trust.
Vaccine hesitancy has a long history, beginning with resistance to smallpox vaccines in the 19th century, largely due to safety fears and opposition to compulsory vaccination laws. As immunizations became more widespread, hesitancy shifted, often driven more by concerns about safety and side effects, as seen with the polio vaccine in the mid-20th century.*
In the 1980s, vaccine hesitancy resurfaced with the DPT vaccine after a documentary alleged rare but severe side effects. This led to a drop in vaccination rates and legal challenges against vaccine manufacturers.
In 1998, a fraudulent study—later retracted—falsely linked the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine to autism, further eroding public trust and leading to reduced vaccination rates in the UK and US, along with subsequent measles outbreaks.*
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitancy has risen globally due to misinformation, conflicting messages from health authorities, and general mistrust in institutions.
What Are the Reasons for Vaccine Hesitancy? COVID-19 Effects
Trust in childhood vaccinations has declined globally, particularly across Europe and Central Asia, due to misinformation and inadequate public health communication. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this by amplifying online misinformation, fuelling doubts about vaccine safety.
Growing distrust in health institutions and governments has eroded confidence in immunisation efforts, making it more difficult to maintain high vaccination coverage.
Key causes of vaccine hesitancy, particularly stemming from COVID-19, include:
- Safety Concerns: Fear of side effects, especially for newer immunizations, makes people question whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
- Speed of Development: The rapid creation of COVID-19 vaccines led to worries that safety protocols may have been rushed.
- Misinformation: False or conflicting information online, particularly through social media, undermines trust in vaccine safety and efficacy.
- Distrust in Authorities: Mixed messages from governments and health organisations during the pandemic further eroded public trust.
- Religious or Philosophical Beliefs: Some individuals oppose vaccines based on their personal or cultural values.
- Historical Distrust: Communities that have experienced past mistreatment by the medical system may be more sceptical of vaccines.
- Personal Experiences: The emotional and psychological toll of the pandemic heightened fear, making individuals more cautious about vaccinations.
It’s understandable that someone may feel hesitant about vaccinations, especially in light of the pandemic. The rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, combined with conflicting information and a general mistrust in authorities, can create valid concerns about vaccine safety. Misinformation online only worsens this uncertainty.
Those with personal or cultural reasons, or those from communities historically mistreated by the medical system, may feel even more hesitant. It’s important to approach vaccine discussions with empathy and respect while offering clear, evidence-based information. This approach may help ease concerns, foster trust, and ultimately prevent outbreaks of diseases otherwise preventable, saving countless lives.
Survey Results on Vaccine Discussions: Doctors vs. Patient Priorities
In light of the rising global vaccine hesitancy and valid concerns about newer vaccinations, what can be improved in vaccine discussions between a physician and an individual seeking advice on whether to take a vaccine?
Doctors and healthcare professionals play a key role in providing personal, trustworthy vaccine information. While people may gather information online or from the news, they often seek confirmation from a medical professional before making a decision.
In the latest M3 Pulse survey, we explored the most important aspects of vaccine discussions for both patients and doctors. What key information and factors are important for them when receiving and giving immunisation information?
Based on the results, among the top three factors for patients during vaccine conversations include feeling trust in the healthcare professional’s judgment and experience.
6,095 panel members worldwide participated in the M3 Pulse survey on vaccine discussions. See the top three most important aspects for both doctors and patients below:
Click on your language to see the M3 Pulse results in your language:
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M3 Pulse is a one-question online survey we conduct every month with our M3 panel members. It´s a fun and easy way to share your opinions about trending healthcare topics, like the shortage of physicians, with healthcare professionals worldwide. If you want to participate in this month´s M3 Pulse, register and join the M3 panel today.
Conclusions for Future Vaccine Discussions Between Doctors and Patients
Based on the survey results, the three most important factors for people seeking advice from a doctor to feel safe, respected, and reassured during vaccine discussions are (selected from seven key factors):
- Detailed information about the benefits and risks of vaccines (23%)
- Transparency about possible vaccine side effects and how they are managed (22%)
- Trust in the healthcare provider’s professional judgment and experience (16%)
Other factors include understanding public health implications (12%), receiving vaccine information based on the latest research (13%), and having personal beliefs respected (8%), with cost concerns being the least important (4%).
For doctors providing vaccine information during consultations, the most important aspects of the conversation include (chosen from six key factors):
- Vaccine guidelines and recommendations from health authorities (29%)
- Overall public health benefits and community protection (24%)
- Current scientific research and emerging data on vaccinations (21%)
- Patient beliefs, concerns, and preferences (12%)
Other factors, like personal beliefs of the doctor (8%) and practical aspects of vaccine administration (7%), were considered less important.
Survey Insights:
To better align with patient preferences, doctors might consider placing more emphasis on providing clear and detailed information about vaccine benefits, risks, and side effects, as this is a top concern for patients.
While public health guidelines and scientific data on immunisation remain important, maintaining trust in the healthcare provider’s judgment is crucial. Therefore, it’s essential to focus on being transparent, clear, and providing vaccine information that is easy to understand. Although respecting personal beliefs is important, the results indicate people prioritise trustworthy information about the outcomes of taking a vaccine.
Both doctors and patients agree that practical aspects of vaccine administration, such as cost and availability, are among the least important aspects of the vaccine conversation.
What do you think about vaccine hesitancy? Please comment in the section below on what aspects you would like to include in vaccine discussions with your doctor or patient.
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