Jul 2026· Adolescência e Saúde· Vol 21, pp. 394-403· 0 citations· 19 references
TL;DR
Successful public health communication strategies have been shown to substantially lower vaccine hesitancy and enhance childhood immunization rates.
Abstract
Background: Childhood vaccination remains one of the most successful public health measures to prevent infectious diseases and decrease child mortality. However, a significant obstacle in achieving optimal vaccinations globally is the increasing vaccine hesitancy due to safety concerns, misinformation, and lack of trust and access barriers. Recognizing the determinants of vaccine hesitancy and effective communication strategies are critical to improve vaccine uptake among children. Objective: This study aims to examine the factors associated with childhood vaccine hesitancy and the impact of public health communication approaches on increasing immunization rates as well as vaccine acceptance. Methods: We applied a mixed-method evaluation methodology incorporating vaccination coverage, vaccine hesitancy indicators, communication efficacy measures as well as public health intervention outcomes from international health databases as well as national surveys. Comparative analyses were performed to assess the effect of communication methods on awareness, trust and immunization coverage. Results: The data indicated that 36.5% of participants had safety concerns and 31.2% had been exposed to misinformation. Communication interventions enhanced knowledge scores about 58 to 81, trust scores from 55 to 76 and vaccine acceptance from 64% to 88%. On the whole, vaccination coverage went up by 22%, and trust in the community went up by 28%. Conclusion: successful public health communication strategies have been shown to substantially lower vaccine hesitancy and enhance childhood immunization rates. Scaling up awareness campaigns, community participation, and evidence-based communication can strengthen vaccine confidence and sustain immunization programmers.
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions, preventing millions of deaths annually
and significantly reducing childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the proven safety and
effectiveness of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a major global public health challenge.
Childhood vaccine hesitancy is influenced by multiple factors, including concerns regarding vaccine safety,
misinformation, lack of trust in healthcare systems, cultural and religious beliefs, and socioeconomic
determinants. The consequences of vaccine hesitancy include reduced vaccination coverage, outbreaks of
vaccine-preventable diseases, increased healthcare costs, and reduced herd immunity. Pediatricians play a
critical role in addressing parental concerns, promoting vaccine confidence, and improving childhood
immunization uptake. This narrative review examines the causes and consequences of childhood vaccination
hesitancy and discusses evidence-based strategies that pediatricians can implement to improve vaccine
acceptance and protect children’s health.
Keywords: Vaccine hesitancy; Childhood immunization; Pediatricians; Vaccine confidence; Public health;
Primary healthcare.
Dr. Budoor Al-Shammari, MD· Journal of Medical Science A...· 0 citations
Childhood vaccine hesitancy is a significant public health concern. In Nigeria, it remains a major barrier to achieving optimal immunization uptake, contributing to preventable morbidity and mortality. Yet there remains a significant research gap on the synthesis of health communication strategies to address parental hesitancy to childhood vaccination. The primary aim and original contribution of the present review is to synthesize health communication strategies to address parental hesitancy to childhood vaccination in Nigeria.
The review strategy was underpinned by the Population, phenomenon of interest and context (PICo) model. Hence, the population (parents, carers, or primary caregivers of children between the ages of 0 and 3 years), the phenomenon of interest (health communication strategies to address parental hesitancy to childhood vaccination), and the context (vaccine hesitancy). For qualitative studies, the PICo strategy, which is a modified version of PICO, was used. Boolean operators (AND/OR/NOT) were used to ensure rigor in adopting informed search terms. Six databases were searched for published articles between 2017 and March 2026.
N
= 12 studies met the inclusion criteria, and the relevant data were synthesized and analyzed using a thematic synthesis approach. The review protocol was pre-registered on the PROSPERO Registry (no. CRD420261303323).
The synthesized studies and analyses yielded the following main findings: (i) Media campaign strategies, (ii) State-sponsored communication strategies, (iii) Community-centered strategies, and (iv) Phone-based strategies.
Childhood vaccine hesitancy remains a major challenge in Nigeria. The review recommends that vaccine communication be culturally attuned and multi-channeled (e.g., embedding community-centered mechanisms—particularly those involving trusted religious and traditional leaders, media platforms, and mobile phone text messaging). It also recommends that vaccine communication be responsive to both structural constraints and community information need to address parental hesitancy to childhood vaccine uptake.
T. Ike, D. Jidong, C. Obi et al.· Frontiers in Public Health· 0 citations
Strong trust in vaccines among parents is revealed, with high support for their safety, effectiveness, and mandatory implementation, as well as recognition of their community-wide benefits, however, gaps in knowledge and barriers to vaccination access underscore the need for professional communication.
María José Reyes Cáceres, Astrid Mariam Enamorado Ortega, Astrid Pamela Romero Monday et al.· Journal of the Pediatric Inf...· 0 citations
Vaccination represents one of the most effective public health interventions for preventing infectious diseases and reducing morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a major challenge for immunization programs, influenced by misinformation, distrust in institutions, communication failures, and unequal levels of health literacy. The rapid expansion of digital communication platforms has transformed the circulation of health information, creating new opportunities for education while also facilitating the dissemination of inaccurate or misleading content. This scenario has significant implications for public policies, particularly regarding the maintenance of vaccination coverage and the protection of population health. This academic essay analyzes the relationship between misinformation, health literacy, and vaccine hesitancy, emphasizing their implications for public health policies and immunization strategies. The discussion explores the social and informational factors associated with vaccine confidence, the role of health literacy in enabling informed decision-making, and the challenges faced by governments and healthcare systems in responding to misinformation. The manuscript highlights that addressing vaccine hesitancy requires integrated approaches combining evidence-based communication, community engagement, trust-building, and policies capable of strengthening health systems' ability to respond to contemporary information challenges.
Adherence to the vaccination schedule among children younger than one year was insufficient, highlighting the need to strengthen educational interventions for parents, improve access to vaccination services, and implement strategies that promote timely childhood immunization in primary healthcare settings.
Mejia Chiquinquira, Pina Alberto· Journal of Family Medicine a...· 0 citations
Introduction: Vaccination remains one of the most effective and cost‑efficient public health interventions, dramatically reducing childhood morbidity and mortality from vaccine‑preventable diseases. However, the global immunization landscape has recently been challenged by pandemic disruptions, misinformation, inequities in access, and resurgent outbreaks.
The Aim is to synthesize current evidence on the health and societal impact of pediatric vaccination, examine determinants of vaccine hesitancy, and highlight future perspectives for immunization programs.
Methods; A narrative review was conducted, integrating epidemiological data, modelling studies, and recent reports from WHO, UNICEF, and peer‑reviewed literature. Particular attention was given to trends in coverage, disease resurgence, and behavioral determinants of vaccine confidence.
Results: Routine immunization has averted an estimated 154 million deaths since 1974, predominantly in children under five. Yet, in 2024, 14.3 million infants received no vaccine doses, and measles re‑emerged in multiple countries, threatening elimination status. Vaccine hesitancy was strongly influenced by misinformation, sociocultural factors, and trust in health systems. Evidence underscores that resilient health infrastructure, equitable access, and credible communication by frontline providers are essential to sustain progress.
Conclusions: Scientific advances alone cannot secure immunization gains. Strengthening public trust, addressing behavioral determinants, and ensuring equitable delivery are critical for the future of pediatric vaccination.
Ferizate Dika-Haxhirexha, Ledia Qatipi, Blinera Ballanca et al.· Albanian Journal of Trauma a...· 0 citations
