Communication to counter vaccine hesitancy

  • J C Meyer Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
  • R J Burnett Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

Abstract

Despite vaccination being one of the most successful, cost-effective public health interventions, vaccine hesitancy, leading to vaccination coverage below herd immunity thresholds, has resulted in global outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), including in South Africa. The negative impact of dangerous, highly contagious VPD outbreaks, such as measles, on morbidity, mortality and the overall healthcare system prompted the World Health Organization to proclaim vaccine hesitancy as among the top 10 threats to global public health in 2019.1

Author Biographies

J C Meyer, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, South Africa

R J Burnett, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University

South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre and School of Medicine Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, South Africa

Published
2020-12-11
Issue
Vol 87 No 6 (2020)
Section
Forum
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