Increasing Public Confidence in Vaccines

Background:
The media plays a large role in shaping public opinion on issues related to health. Studies have been conducted throughout the world to determine whether MMR vaccine and/or thimerosal (the preservative once found in many childhood vaccines), causes autism. The science is clear – vaccines do not cause autism. While the media continues to portray this issue as an ongoing controversy, the medical community is in agreement that the evidence does not support the theory that vaccines cause autism. The erosion of public confidence in vaccines may result in the resurgence of deadly and debilitating disease. While the goal of several organizations and highly vocal celebrities is to place doubt in the minds of the public about the safety of our current vaccines and the recommended immunization schedule, the public health community has made great strides in countering this misinformation campaign.

Setting:
National

Population:
General Public, lawmakers, media

Project Description:
Speakers in this session will provide the latest vaccine safety data and research, a summary of recent events related to vaccine safety and an overview of efforts taking place to shore up public confidence in vaccines. These efforts target the general public and depend on the collaborative efforts of the medical community, non-profit health organizations, and government agencies dealing with children's health.

Results/Lessons Learned:
Parents who question the safety of vaccines need access to the abundance of scientific information that will help allay their fears. A series of efforts initiated in 2008 to educate the public about the safety of vaccines have successfully reached the general public via the print and television media. These efforts have been instrumental in engaging the public and galvanizing the public health community. Continued efforts to educate the public must continue to ensure that parents are armed with the scientific information needed to make educated decisions regarding the health of their children.