Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics (Dec 2019)
Nurses’ Perceptions Of MMR Vaccine Hesitancy In An Area With Low Vaccination Coverage
Abstract
Asha Jama,1,2 Ann Lindstrand,3 Mona Ali,1 Robb Butler,4 Asli Kulane2 1The Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden; 2Equity and Health Policy Research Group, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; 3Department of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; 4United Nations Children’s Fund Programme Division, UNICEF, New York, NY, USACorrespondence: Asli KulaneEquity and Health Policy Research Group, Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, Stockholm 17177, SwedenTel +46 8-524 833 88Email [email protected] and aim: Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) coverage is low in an area in the Northern part of Stockholm, Sweden. The overall aim of this study was to explore the perceptions, views, and experiences of child health clinic nurses related to vaccine hesitancy in Rinkeby and Tensta.Methods: The study focused specifically on hesitancy towards measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted in Swedish with female nurses who were directly responsible for vaccination programmes. Their thoughts and experiences were sought using probing and question rephrasing techniques. Transcripts of the data were analysed using content analysis.Results: Four themes emerged, namely hesitancy among Somali parents, lack of confidence in the MMR vaccine, loss of confidence in other vaccines due to mistrust of the MMR vaccine, and complacency regarding vaccination in general.Conclusion: There is a strong influence of fear of vaccine-induced autism among parents in the Somali community in areas of Stockholm, that requires continued attention by the health care providers.Keywords: MMR vaccine, measles, vaccine hesitancy, nurses, Stockholm
