Practical approaches to vaccine hesitancy issues in the United States: 2013

The intention to delay or avoid vaccines that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices can be described as "vaccine hesitancy." While outright refusal of all vaccines is uncommon, hesitancy is seen on a regular basis in most primary care offices, resulting in immunization delay and prolonged susceptibility to preventable disease. The consequences of vaccine hesitancy include the potential for resurgence of vaccine preventable infections. Open, honest, and frank discussions with hesitant patients and their families can assist in their understanding of the importance of vaccines. While many experienced providers are able to do so in an intuitive manner, others may benefit from developing a systemic framework for such discussions. An understanding of the history and rationale for vaccine hesitancy is a first step in regaining lost public confidence in our robust immunization programs.