Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy for Future COVID-19 and HIV Vaccines: Lessons from Measles and HPV Vaccines

Abstract

Background The discovery of vaccines significantly reduced morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases and led to the elimination and eradication of some. Development of safe and effective vaccines is a critical step to the control of infectious diseases; however, there is the need to address vaccine hesitancy because of its potential impact on vaccine uptake. Methods We conducted a narrative review of studies on interventions to address measles and human papillomavirus vaccine hesitancy. We discussed how lessons learned from these studies could be applied towards COVID-19 and future human immunodeficiency virus vaccines. Results We found that there are several successful approaches to improving vaccine acceptance. Interventions should be context specific and build on the challenges highlighted in various settings. Conclusion Strategies could be used alone or in combination with others. The most successful interventions directly targeted the population for vaccination. Use of financial incentives could be a potential tool to improve vaccine uptake.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices toward Dengue Fever, Vector Control, and Vaccine Acceptance Among the General Population in Countries from Latin America and Asia Pacific: A Cross-Sectional Study (GEMKAP)

“…These stakeholders play a critical role in providing education, recommendations, and reminders about vaccination to people and communities to drive willingness and uptake of vaccines. Previous studies of other recommended vaccines have shown that the involvement of healthcare professionals in policy-making decisions regarding vaccine implementation, and the use of educational interventions in healthcare settings, can be effective in overcoming vaccine hesitancy [ 64 , 65 ]. Further investigation is required to understand the specific drivers and barriers for these stakeholders to advocate the importance of vaccination against dengue in each individual country context.…”

Megastudies: A New Approach to Reducing Vaccine Hesitation Worldwide

“…Vaccine hesitancy is not only a behavioral problem and complex social phenomenon [ 45 ]. The interventions in physical exercise and influenza megastudies focus on the gap between intention and action [ 29 ]. Interventions in two megastudies for behavior change were mainly “Nudges”: planning, bonus, exercise commitment contracts, sharing social values or norms in the community, fitness questionnaires, and different urging messages [ 38 , 40 ].…”

“…Among those concerned about vaccine safety, some are concerned about additional risks because of their clinical conditions, such as pregnant women [ 16 , 30 ], the elderly [ 16 , 48 ], and patients with chronic diseases [ 49 , 50 ]. In recent years, vaccine hesitancy has closely been related to widespread rumors about infertility or autism, which proved totally false [ 29 ]. In addition, suspicion of vaccine effectiveness matters in vaccine hesitation, especially facing a new vaccine, the vaccine does not work as expected or few studies have been conducted to demonstrate its efficacy and safety in specific populations at risk [ 46 , 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

“…Therefore, we can make individualized and targeted strategies for COVID-19 vaccination and disseminate the vaccination information to different media use groups [ 62 ]. Nevertheless, many suggestions are easy to apply and proved effective, such as individual education, a loss–benefit framework, a recommendation from health service providers, and so on [ 28 , 29 ]. Then, we need to know which is most effective for a particular group or cause.…”

“…For example, a meta-analysis on measles and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines introduced nine vaccine promotion intervention domains. They include education (providing education on vaccination, disease, and how vaccines work); on-site vaccination (providing vaccines at the workplace or places of worship); financial incentives; free vaccination; institutional recommendation (a recommendation made by the institution that person works at especially for healthcare providers); healthcare provider recommendation; a reminder and recall; gain vs. loss framing of the vaccine; and vaccine champions (an institutionally appointed champion to encourage vaccination) [ 29 ].…”