This article brought to you by a message from a Partner in Health, Merck. All information provided below can be found with resources on this vaccine hesitancy document.
Vaccine hesitancy remains a significant public health concern across the United States. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Immunization Survey, about 1 in 5 parents of children ages 6 months to 17 years reported being hesitant about routine vaccinations between 2019 and 2022. In addition, the 2023–24 school year saw the highest-ever percentage of kindergartners with non-medical vaccine exemptions, 3.1% nationwide.
A 2024 Gallup poll highlights how public attitudes are shifting: while 69% of adults still believe childhood vaccines are “extremely” or “very” important, that number has dropped sharply from 94% in 2001. One in five respondents even believed vaccines are more dangerous than the diseases they prevent.
Research identifies three key factors:
- Confidence – Trust in vaccine safety, efficacy, and the systems that deliver them
- Complacency – Competing priorities that make vaccination seem less urgent
- Convenience – Physical or psychological barriers that make vaccination feel less accessible or important.
How Healthcare Professionals Can Help
Healthcare professionals play a critical role in influencing vaccine decisions. A physician’s recommendation remains the strongest predictor of whether a patient or parent chooses to vaccinate. The use of presumptive language—stating that a child will receive vaccines as part of their visit—has been shown to be more effective than asking if parents “want” vaccines.
- Sending reminders via calls, texts, or emails
- Offering educational materials before appointments
- Sharing your own experiences and reasons for vaccinating
- Continuing the conversation even when refusal occurs.
To learn more about ways to support vaccine confidence, visit Vaccination Tools and Resources for Healthcare Professionals | MerckVaccines.com