By AOA Media Team
\nAmerican Osteopathic Association<\/p>\n
CHICAGO\u2014June 24, 2019\u2014A recent online survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Osteopathic Association, revealed that more than two in five American adults (45%) say something has caused them to doubt vaccine safety.<\/p>\n
The spread of negative attitudes towards vaccines is a phenomenon deeply rooted in human psychology and amplified by social media, according to perinatal psychiatrist Rachel Shmuts, DO.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom an evolutionary perspective, humans are primed to pay attention to threats or negative information,\u201d she says. \u201cSo it makes sense that people hold onto fears that vaccines are harmful, especially when they believe their children are in danger.\u201d<\/p>\n
She believes it is possible that, since vaccines have been so effective in eradicating disease, people may have more fear of possible vaccine side effects than the actual diseases vaccines prevent.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor some, it really might be that vaccines are viewed as the more salient threat,\u201d says Dr. Shmuts.<\/p>\n
Although 55% of Americans don\u2019t doubt vaccine safety, 45% noted at least one source that caused doubts about the safety of vaccination. The top three doubt-causing sources were online articles (16%), past secrets\/wrongdoing by the pharmaceutical industry (16%) and information from medical experts (12%).1<\/sup><\/p>\n No more room for doubt<\/strong> Physicians say those small margins can cause significant damage to public health if the doubts result in more unvaccinated people.<\/p>\n \u201cSome diseases, like measles, require as much as 95% of the population to be vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity,\u201d says osteopathic family physician Paul Ehrmann, DO. \u201cOur practice considers itself a steward of public health, so we do not take new patients who refuse to vaccinate.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Ehrmann explains that herd immunity is essential to maintain because some people cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions, including allergies, illness or a weakened immune system. Keeping the rest of the population vaccinated protects those who are vulnerable.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople know that a lot of practices won\u2019t accept patients who don\u2019t vaccinate, so when they find one that will, they spread the word to their community that it\u2019s a safe place. Whether intentional or not, those doctors are often seen as endorsing anti-vaxxer beliefs,\u201d Dr. Ehrmann said.<\/p>\n Winning patients back<\/strong> She explains that confirmation bias\u2014the tendency to trust new information that bolsters existing beliefs and discredits information that challenges those beliefs\u2014makes it difficult to convince someone vaccines are safe, effective and necessary once they believe they are not.<\/p>\n \u201cThe number of people who believe vaccines are dangerous and refuse to get them is still relatively small. However, online support groups seem to solidify their beliefs, making them less susceptible to influence from their neighbors and real-world communities,\u201d says Dr. Shmuts.<\/p>\n Dr. Ehrmann agrees, adding that arguing or being judgmental with patients only pushes them further into communities that share their beliefs. Instead, he thinks policy changes are likely the most effective means to change behaviors, if not hearts and minds.<\/p>\n His home state of Michigan discontinued public education for vaccines in the mid-2000s and allows for medical, religious and philosophical exemptions for vaccination, making the state accommodating to anti-vaxxers. As recent as 2015, Michigan ranked 44th in the country for the number of vaccinated children 19 months to 35 months.<\/p>\n However, in 2017 the state, with other partners, launched a public information campaign that has significantly improved vaccination rates across demographics.<\/p>\n \u201cBeliefs are hard to change especially when they\u2019re based in fear,\u201d says Dr. Ehrmann. \u201cBut, being responsible for our patients\u2019 health and the public\u2019s health, we can\u2019t afford to give in to those fears. We must insist on evidence-based medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n About the AOA<\/strong> To learn more about DOs and the osteopathic philosophy of medicine, visit\u00a0www.DoctorsThatDO.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Survey Method<\/strong> Media Contact 1<\/sup>\u00a0Which of the following have caused you to doubt the safety of vaccines? Please select all that apply.<\/strong> 2<\/sup>\u00a0Which of the following statements best represents your views on vaccine safety and efficacy?<\/strong> ___ 45% of American adults doubt vaccine safety, according to survey Americans cite online articles, past secrets\/wrongdoing by pharmaceutical industry and information from medical experts as top sources of suspicion By AOA Media Team American Osteopathic Association CHICAGO\u2014June 24, 2019\u2014A recent … Continue reading
\nThe survey also asked Americans to choose a statement that best represented their feelings about vaccine safety and efficacy. While the vast majority (82%) chose in favor of vaccines, 8% selected responses expressing serious doubt. An additional 9% said they were unsure.2<\/sup><\/p>\n
\nWhile social media has helped spread misinformation about vaccines, it has not been effective for countering those claims, even with scientific research, according to Dr. Shmuts.<\/p>\n
\nThe American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 145,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; and is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools.<\/p>\n
\nThis survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of AOA from May 28-30, 2019, among 2,007 U.S. adults. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Jeff Brennan.<\/p>\n
\nJeff Brennan, Media Relations Manager
\n312-771-0126 |\u00a0jbrennan@osteopathic.org<\/a><\/p>\n
\nOnline articles 16%
\nPast secrets\/wrongdoing by the pharmaceutical industry 16%
\nInformation from medical experts 12%
\nPast secrets\/wrongdoing by government 11%
\nInteractions and\/or content on social media 10%
\nInformation from friends 10%
\nPersonal experience of negative effects of vaccines 9%
\nInformation from family members 8%
\nReligious beliefs 4%
\nOther 3%
\nNothing \u2013 I don\u2019t doubt the safety of vaccines 55%<\/p>\n
\nI think vaccines are unsafe and ineffective 2%
\nI think the risks of vaccine side effects outweigh the potential benefits of vaccination 6%
\nI am unsure of whether vaccines are safe and effective 9%
\nI think the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks of vaccine side effects 31%
\nI think vaccines are safe and effective 51%<\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/osteopathic.org\/2019\/06\/24\/45-of-american-adults-doubt-vaccine-safety-according-to-survey\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"