title: Communicating vaccine safety to the media and general public.
abstract: Vaccines are among the most effective measures to control and prevent infectious diseases. Yet, the topic of vaccination is difficult to communicate, as it bears upon individual versus common good. The efficacy and safety of vaccines can only be shown by the absence of undesired events, such as vaccine-preventable diseases or adverse events following immunization. The authors of this paper view accurate, transparent and timely vaccine-safety communication to the media and general public as a core responsibility of healthcare providers. The authors wish to explore potential difficulties faced by immunization specialists when talking to the media, and suggest how to successfully convey vaccination messages to the general public.
authors: Hiba
authors: H
authors: Oubari
authors: Ryan
authors: R
authors: Tuttle
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Rath
authors: Pediatric Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of the Philippines Manila, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines. lulubravo@ymail.com.
authors: Lulu
authors: L
authors: Bravo
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D058015:Health Communication / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008402:Mass Media; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D061214:Patient Safety; D010465:Perception; D010819:Physician's Role; D065840:Protective Factors; D011639:Public Opinion; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D014612:Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines