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Vaccine Refusal: Perspectives from Pediatrics

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Vaccinophobia and Vaccine Controversies of the 21st Century

Abstract

Vaccines have been touted as one of the most significant public health achievements in human history. Because of their recent and rapid success many parents and health care providers of the twenty-first century, particularly in more developed areas of the world such as the USA and Western Europe (WE), have limited or no experience with the devastating effects of vaccine preventable diseases. We examine the history of vaccine success, philosophical exemptions to childhood vaccination, the use of alternative schedules, the reasons for parental refusal of childhood immunizations, and the ethics surrounding physician termination of the doctor–patient relationship if parental refusal persists. Published work argues strongly against termination of care, yet data indicate approximately 40% of practicing physicians surveyed support or use termination as an option. We review these conflicting viewpoints from a primary care physician’s perspective.

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  1. Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine, 4802 Shannon Dr., Bellevue, NE, 68133, USA

    Kody Moffatt M.D., M.S. & Clancy McNally M.D.

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  1. Kody Moffatt M.D., M.S.
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  2. Clancy McNally M.D.
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Correspondence to Kody Moffatt M.D., M.S. .

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  1. , School of Medicine, Creighton University, North 30th Street,Suite 6814 601, Omaha, 68131, Nebraska, USA

    Archana Chatterjee

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Moffatt, K., McNally, C. (2013). Vaccine Refusal: Perspectives from Pediatrics. In: Chatterjee, A. (eds) Vaccinophobia and Vaccine Controversies of the 21st Century. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7438-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7438-8_5

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