WEEK 10 - Vaccine Hesitancy

Question 1

What are vaccines

Answer 1

Exposes body to a disease (before you come into contact with it) to elicit an immune response
- immune system will develop antibodies against the speicific infection

Vaccines are safe and dont put you at risk as they are either inactivated or weakened versions of pathogen

Question 2

What is vaccine hesitancy

Answer 2

A delay in acceptance OR refusal of vaccine despite availability

Vaccine hesitancy is creating an immunisation gap
- vaccine uptake is ↓ = herd immunity ↓
- if herd immunity ↓ = prevalence ↑
- e.g. parents refusing MMR vaccine for children due to autism fear

Effects of hesitancy:
- NHS burden
- Herd immunity neagtively affected
- Impacts on community health

Question 3

List factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy

Highest amongst EMs e.g. Black, Bangladeshi, Pakistani

Answer 3

• Fear / mistrust of HCP / industries
• Influence of family and friends
• Cultural and religious beliefs
  - Muslims + jews may not have vaccines contaning pork e.g. gelatine
  - JEWISH: kosher products
  - MUSLIM: halal products, no alcohol
  - CHRISTIANS: no alcohol
• Misinformation and social media influence
• Myths + misconceptions around whats in vaccines
  - e.g. vaccine safety, SE, ADRs, toxicity
• Personal / other’s experiences with vaccines, PMH
• Barriers e.g. language, convenience, clinic hours
  - have lack of info. about vaccine
• Risk perception and ‘natural immunity’
  - percieve it as low risk illness, low severity
  - desire natural / organic lifestyle
• Fear of needles
• Vaccine cost
  - usually free, but travel vaccines may have to be paid for

Question 4

The 3 C’s contributing to vaccine hesitancy

Answer 4

CONFIDENCE:
- lack of trust in safety + effectivness of vaccine and system that delivers vaccine
- lack of trust in HCP, health services, policy makers etc.

COMPLACENCY:
- Patients have low percieved risk of vaccine-preventable disease
- Therefore assume vaccines are NOT required

CONVENIENCE:
- Physical availbility / accessibility to vaccine
- Affordability and willingess to pay
- Ability to understand (langauge + literacy)

Question 5

What is the role of pharmacists in adressing vaccine hesitancy

Answer 5

1. Educate and communicate with pateints
   - correct myths, misconceptions
   - actively listen to patient + adress their concerns
   - provide evidence-based info e.g. PHE< NHS, GOV websites
2. Make vaccines more accessible in community setting
   - deliver vaccines at patient home = vulnerable groups e.g. elederly are included
3. Build trust + relationships with patient
   - ensuring transparency when communicating efficacy and SE
   - help patient weigh up risks vs benefits

Question 6

Strategies and Best Practices for Pharmacists when tackling vaccine hesitancy

Answer 6

1. Motivational Interviewing Techniques
   - Use open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarising
2. Evidence-based rebutalls to myths
3. Collaborative efforts and refferals
   - Work with GPs, nurses and other HCP to reinforce pro-vaccine message
   - Identify high risk / high-hesitancy indivuals and offer further support