A qualitative investigation of vaccine risk perception amongst parents who immunize their children: a matter of public health concern.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about risk perception amongst parents who have their children immunized, as opposed to those who do not. Our objective was to assess their vaccine risk perception and thereby to identify strategies to prevent further deterioration in uptake.


METHODS
An in-depth interview study was conducted with parents in two nurseries, one urban and one rural in Norfolk, together with a pilot study. All their children were fully immunized. Topics related to parents' vaccine risk perceptions.


RESULTS
Certain known risk characteristics were attributable to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, including feeling of dread, lack of control and doubt in scientific knowledge. Furthermore, this study re-emphasizes that parents lack trust in government agencies and may have doubts in the medical profession as the 'managers' of vaccine risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Results highlighted an urgent need to address concerns amongst parents who immunize, to prevent them changing their practice in the face of further vaccine controversies.
Raithatha
Nick
N
The Health Centre, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ. n.raithatha@uea.ac.uk
Holland
Richard
R
Gerrard
Simon
S
Harvey
Ian
I
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011634:Public Health; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety; D006113:United Kingdom
D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine