Transforming the education strategy for the measles vaccine: Investigating vaccine information sources, and immunisation behaviour and beliefs among new parents in Ireland
Authors
Issue Date
Type
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Introduction: Hesitancy towards the measles vaccine persists globally with uptake below the WHO recommended 95% globally, preventing the control and elimination of this vaccine preventable disease. This study investigates vaccine hesitancy in the context of the current measles outbreak in Ireland and proposes interventional opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry to improve vaccine education strategies for both new parents and health professionals. Methods: Confirmatory research design using a mixed methods approach through online anonymous surveys (103 participants) and Zoom interview recordings with 10 new parents and 4 health professionals to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The study’s inclusion criteria extended to new parents with a child aged under two years in Ireland. Results: This study confirmed the findings in the literature that health professionals are the primary trusted information source for new parents. This supports the strategy for health professional to continue to be the messengers for vaccine education to new parents. Themes identified in this study include: 1. Educational interventions for new parents and health professionals need to be strategically timed. 2. Vaccine campaigns could benefit from shifting focus from the vaccine benefits to the disease risks particularly for unvaccinated individuals. 3. Advocacy for legislation to counteract misinformation. 4. Improved access to accurate information leveraging digital platforms 5. Supports for parent-to-parent education. 6. Strategy needed to address hesitancy in subpopulations such as vegans, vegetarians, herbalists and naturopaths. Conclusions: This study identifies areas in which the pharmaceutical industry can contribute: 1. Provide continuous education development on vaccine products for nurses administering vaccines or educating new parents about vaccines in Ireland. 2. Provide education platforms for new parents antenatally and investigate the possibility of parentto-parent education. 3. Advocate for a comprehensive legal framework to counteract misinformation about vaccine content. 4. Advertise the dietary vegan friendly measles vaccine gelatin-free product PRIORIX, to improve hesitancy among the growing vegan and vegetarian communities in Ireland.