title: Assessment of relevant cultural considerations is essential for the success of a vaccine.
abstract: This paper explores applications of social science research to international vaccine development and implementation. The paper discusses examples of vaccine-implementation controversies, suggesting that many of these issues could have been avoided with a greater focus on cultural issues regarding perceptions of disease, vaccination, and health services. The paper also discusses the relationship of theory-based behavioural interventions with the development of an overall vaccine strategy and examines experience of growing vaccine research with regard to perceptions of medical decision-making, acceptable practices, and authority and how these perceptions impact vaccine usage. The importance of social science in the ethical conduct of research is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Carmen and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. BStanton@dmc.org
authors.forename: Bonita F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Stanton
mesh_terms: D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003469:Culture; D003906:Developing Countries; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D033161:Government Regulation; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D035842:Research Subjects / Q000523:psychology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000523:psychology*