title: Epidemiology of vaccine hesitancy in the United States.
abstract: Vaccines are among the most effective public health interventions against infectious diseases. However, there is evidence in the United States for parents either delaying or refusing recommended childhood vaccination. Exemptions to school immunization laws and use of alternative schedule from those recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics cannot only increase the risk of children contracting vaccine-preventable diseases but also increases the risk of infecting others who are either too young to be vaccinated, cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons or did not develop a sufficient immunological response to the vaccine. Healthcare providers are cited as the most influential source by parents on vaccine decision-making. Vaccine hesitancy needs to be addressed by healthcare providers and the scientific community by listening to the parental concerns and discussing risks associated with either delaying or refusing vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Emory University; Rollins School of Public Health; Atlanta, GA USA.
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University; Bloomberg School of Public Health; Baltimore, MD USA.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.affiliation: Emory University; Rollins School of Public Health; Atlanta, GA USA.
authors.forename: Saad B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Omer
mesh_terms: D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010290:Parents; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: attitudes; exemptions; immunizations; parent beliefs; vaccine hesitancy; vaccines