Running head: ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 1

The Solution to Anti-vax Decisions

Haylie S. Garrity

Arizona State University

ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 2

Abstract

This paper proposes a solution to uneducated decisions on vaccines and how the government can

fix it. Many anti- vax parents do not have the correct education on vaccines and rely on media to

make their decisions. The solution to this issue is that the government needs to pass a law that

requires all expecting parents to take an educational class on vaccination before choosing

whether or not they want to vaccinate their child. The paper proposes some concerns people

might have about the class such as cost or violation of human rights. Resolutions to these

concerns are addressed and it is explained why this method is better than others. Not enough is

being done in the health industry to prevent this now, so a different technique needs to be

directed.

Keywords:​ Vaccines, Children, Parents, Class, Education, Decisions, Safety

ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 3

“Are vaccines safe for children?” This question has been asked by parents for years, and

the controversy over vaccines continues to amplify in society. Many parents refuse or are

hesitant to vaccinate their children because of this question. An “anti-vax” parent is one who

decides against vaccinating their child. When parents see or hear that vaccines might cause

autism or injure children, they are more likely to decide not to vaccinate their children due to the

fear of this happening to them. The issue with this is that the information they are basing their

decision off of is invalid a majority of the time. Too many parents are making the decision not to

vaccinate their children without being properly educated on the topic. The government needs to

pass a law that requires expecting parents to take a class in order to educate them properly on

vaccines before making a decision.

The biggest issues with parents who are anti-vax are that they are not educated enough on

vaccines because they rely on media to make their decisions, and this causes them to believe that

immunity through illness is more effective. For instance, ​an article done in the Department of

Biosciences, discusses an experiment done in order to understand which aspects of

vaccination-related information are well transmitted and how it affects the decisions on

vaccinations. The result was that the experience-based view held by the parent was better

transmitted than the medical-based view held by the doctor (Jiménez, Á V., Stubbersfield, J. M.,

& Tehrani, J. J., 2018). This suggests that healthcare providers are not making a great enough
ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 4

effort to portray information supporting the benefits of vaccines, so parents are relying on what

they hear from other sources. Parents will not receive accurate information on vaccines unless

they are given by an expert, therefore their decisions are made without the proper guidance.

Moreover, another article discusses a study done on why parents choose not to vaccinate

their children. ​Only 37.1% of the parents reported to seek information about vaccination from the

pediatrician, and 12% of them stated that their decision was based on the media (​Bianco, A.,

Mascaro, V., Zucco, R., & Pavia, M., 2019). In other words, very few parents seek information

from healthcare providers and too many of them are basing their decisions off of media. These

numbers are extremely alarming and parents are putting their child more at risk by not receiving

the proper education on vaccines. Lastly, in the article, ​“Parental Attitudes and Perceptions

Associated with Childhood Vaccine Exemptions in High-exemption Schools,” a study was done

to determine how many people received highschool exemptions for vaccines. Respondents who

indicated that they sought care from a Naturopath or a Doctor of Osteopathy were statistically

significantly more likely to be exemptors (23.6%) than non-exemptors (7.8%). It states that these

anti-vax parents believed it was better for their child to develop immunity through illness rather

than vaccination (Pottinger, Jacobs, Haenchen, Ernst, 2018). It is clear that these parents do not

have enough knowledge on vaccines because it is statistically proven that developing immunity

through vaccination is more effective than through illness. Factual information regarding

vaccines needs to be presented to parents whether they seek care from a naturopathic doctor or

not. Parents need to be accurately educated on the topic of vaccines before making the decision

not to vaccinate their child.

ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 5

Due to this information, a class needs to be required, by law, for all expecting parents to

educate them further on vaccines and solve this problem. According to a research article on

clinical pediatrics, 96% of pediatricians were extremely concerned with the amount of vaccine

refusal and felt that patients would benefit from receiving more information regarding vaccines

(Cordrey, K., McLaughlin, L., Das, P., & Milanaik, R., 2018). Even healthcare providers such as

pediatricians agree that parents needs to be educated further on vaccines. A class required for

expecting parents would give them more information on vaccines so that they are confident in

making the right decision for their children.

Additionally, a study was done on pregnant women that evaluated the reasons for non-

vaccination and intention to receive the Tdap vaccine. The results stated that the most common

reason reported for non-vaccination was lack of a recommendation for Tdap by the woman’s

physician. The article also suggested that education interventions that provide targeted

information for pregnant women in an interactive manner may be useful to improve Tdap

vaccination (​Kriss, J. L., Frew, P. M., et al., 2017​). This study implies that physicians are not

providing information to pregnant women about vaccines and that it is negatively impacting the

rates of vaccination. If the rates of Tdap vaccines are decreasing due to lack of communication

by physicians, then the rates of other vaccines will drop as well. Since physicians are not

presenting expecting parents with information on vaccines, the vaccination class will resolve this

issue.

Finally, another evidence- based study was done to assess the outcome of mother’s

knowledge increase and HPV vaccine intent. As a result of the study, HPV vaccine uptake

numbers increased considerably compared to the HPV vaccine uptake numbers recorded prior to
ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 6

educational intervention (​Patricia A. Obulaney, Irene Gilliland & Holly Cassells, 2016​).

Vaccination numbers for HPV increased after the experiment was done, supporting this solution

to be successful. Parents in this study were more likely to vaccinate their children after attending

the educational intervention on HPV, so applying this method to all vaccines will eliminate the

amount of parents who are hesitant on vaccination all together. Requiring expecting parents to

take a class on vaccines before choosing whether or not to vaccinate their children is crucial to

ensure that they are making educated decisions.

Some people might argue that requiring this class will violate basic human rights, that it

will be unaffordable for many families, or that parents who have already experienced vaccine-

related injury will not attend. To illustrate, the American Public Health Association claims that in

2006, schools began requiring the HPV vaccine for attendance and that some parents argue

requirement of vaccines is unconstitutional (Schwartz J. L., 2010). Because some parents believe

requiring vaccines is a violation of human rights, they might also argue that requiring the class

will be a violation as well. Since it is one’s legal right to refuse vaccination, it might be argued

that it is unlawful to force a class promoting it.

Furthermore, The Journal of Women’s Health discusses the data of low income families

and health care. It states that ​90% of low income and minority families receive public insurance

such as Medicaid (Perkins, R. B., Brogly, S. B., Adams, W. G., & Freund, K. M., 2012). Many

know that Medicaid is a government funded healthcare program that assists low income families

and individuals in paying for doctor visits, hospital stays, long-term medical, etc. Opposers

might argue that many parents will not be able to afford paying for this class. If these individuals

are already relying on public insurance, they will not be able to pay for an additional class.
ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 7

Lastly, ​the article, “Demonstration of Background Rates of Three Conditions of Interest

for Vaccine Safety Surveillance,” discusses health outcomes related to vaccines. It states that the

average annualized vaccine incidences of adolescents aged 11–17 years old was 0.8 per 100,000

(​Wormsbecker AE, Johnson C, Bourns L, Harris T, Crowcroft NS, Deeks SL, 2019​). Although

this number is extremely low, some might argue that parents who have already experienced

vaccine- related injury will not attend the classes either way. The parents whose child has been

injured by a vaccine will most likely be opposed to the class and fight for anti- vaccination.

Opposers will have concerns regarding the class and might disagree with its components.

Although some people may believe that the class is questionable, there is an answer for

their concerns. For instance, the article, “​Vaccines, Informed Consent, Effective Resource and

Comprehensive Reparation: A Perspective of the International Law of Human Rights,” asserts

that informed consent is the general rule for any medical intervention and choice (Acosta, Juana

I., 2015). Requirement of vaccines in schools is not a violation of human rights because there are

still exemption forms that can be submitted. Thus, it is not unconstitutional to require the class

due to informed consent. Parents will still have the choice to vaccinate their children or not; the

class is just to educate them further on the topic and expand their knowledge so that they are not

making decisions based off of media or false information.

As well, the American Publication Human Services Administration reports that the ​states

and the federal government share the cost of providing public insurance such as Medicaid and

that The ​Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is​ entirely funded by the government

(​Lower-Basch, E., 2017​). The government already funds many medical-related programs that

benefit society, so this class would be funded federally as well. Families would not have to worry
ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 8

about the costs of the class or the vaccinations. Lastly, an article in The Education and Society

journal mentions that i​n the 1960s, the federal government started pushing new achievement tests

designed to evaluate instructional methods and schools (Gershon, L., 2015). If the government

can require students to go to school and take tests to assess their knowledge, they can require

parents to take a class to improve their knowledge as well. This class will be treated the same as

if it were a child attending class. For example, if a child does not attend school, the parent will

receive a fine or even be charged with a misdemeanor. The same would go for the vaccination

class. A majority of the concerns parents might have about the class will be resolved federally.

There are other solutions that can resolve the issue of uneducated anti-vax parents, such

as more campaigning and media on the topic, but these are not as beneficial. There is not enough

being done to by healthcare providers that teach parents about vaccine safety. For example, a list

of negative side effects are sometimes given to parents before a vaccination. An article done by

Pediatrics ​discusses a study done on pregnant women and their decision on vaccinating their

infant. It reveals that ​information given against immunization was associated with delayed infant

immunization (​Veerasingam, P., Grant, C. C., et al., 2017​). Giving expecting parents a list of

negative side effects of a vaccine will only cause them to be skeptical or hesitant. Instead, this

class will provide proper data on vaccines that address the effectiveness and educate them

further.

Additionally, the ​American Association for the Advancement of Science presents a study

done on the effects of campaigning for the papillomavirus vaccine. The results state that the

campaign created a problem ​with conservative groups who wanted to oppose it and that it had

many unresolved issues (​Kaiser, J., 2008​). This study explains why campaigning for vaccines is
ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 9

not effective. Campaigning only causes problems with the opposing side because these anti-

vaxxers feel attacked. Campaigns are primarily based on personal opinion and the evidence used

in them can be invalid. Having a solution that promotes vaccines solely using statistical evidence

is beneficial.

A study done in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the seasonal influenza vaccine was

discussed in the article, “Interim Estimates of 2018–19 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness

— United States, February 2019.” The results showed that there was a decrease of 40%–60% in

influenza cases across all ages and that approximately 80% of reported pediatric

influenza-associated deaths have occurred in children who were not vaccinated (Doyle JD,

Chung JR, Kim SS, et al., 2019). There is an abundance of evidence that prove vaccines to be

effective. This class will be beneficial in increasing vaccination numbers because there is very

little evidence suggesting that vaccines are unsafe. When parents take the class, they will

understand the effectiveness of vaccines, therefore making an educated decision rather than what

they have heard in the media. Requiring this class is more beneficial than what healthcare

providers are doing now and it is more effective than campaigns and media.

A mandatory class funded by the government is the best solution to resolve uneducated

decisions on vaccinations. Parents are choosing whether or not to vaccinate their children based

on stories in the media and are not receiving proper information from healthcare providers.

Although some people may have questions and concerns regarding this solution, a majority of

them will be resolved due to it being federally organized. Entailing a class that educates

expecting parents on vaccines will be highly effective and will lead to and increase of childhood
ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 10

vaccinations. All parents would be making educated decisions on vaccines if this law was in

motion.

References

Acosta, Juana I. (2015). VACCINES, INFORMED CONSENT, EFFECTIVE REMEDY AND

INTEGRAL REPARATION: AN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

PERSPECTIVE. ​Vniversitas​, (131), 19-64.

https://dx.doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.vj131.vier

Bianco, A., Mascaro, V., Zucco, R., & Pavia, M. (2019). Parent perspectives on childhood

vaccination: How to deal with vaccine hesitancy and refusal? ​Vaccine,37(​ 7), 984-990.

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.12.062

Cordrey, K., McLaughlin, L., Das, P., & Milanaik, R. (2018). Pediatric Resident Education and

Preparedness Regarding Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Clinical Pediatrics, 57(3),

327–334. https://doi.org/10.1177/0009922817727465

Doyle JD, Chung JR, Kim SS, et al. (2019, February) Interim Estimates of 2018–19 Seasonal

Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — United States. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep

2019;68:135–139. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6806a2

ANTI-VAX SOLUTIONS 11

Gershon, L. (2015, May 12). A Short History of Standardized Tests | JSTOR Daily. Retrieved

from https://daily.jstor.org/short-history-standardized-tests/

Jiménez, Á V., Stubbersfield, J. M., & Tehrani, J. J. (2018). An experimental investigation into

the transmission of antivax attitudes using a fictional health controversy. ​Social Science &

Medicine,215​, 23-27. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.032

Kaiser, J. (2008). LATIN AMERICA: Price Is the Main Barrier to Wider Use of Papillomavirus

Vaccine. ​Science,320​(5878), 860-860. doi:10.1126/science.320.5878.860

Kriss, J. L., Frew, P. M., et al., (2017). Evaluation of two vaccine education interventions to

improve pertussis vaccination among pregnant African American women: A randomized

controlled trial. ​Vaccine,35(​ 11), 1551-1558. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.01.037

Lower-Basch, E. (2017, April 19). Improving Access, Cutting Red Tape - CLASP. Retrieved

https://clasp.org/sites/default/files/public/resources-and-publications/publication-1/Impro

ving-Access-Cutting-Red-Tape.pdf

Patricia A. Obulaney, Irene Gilliland & Holly Cassells (2016) Increasing Cervical Cancer and

Human Papillomavirus Prevention Knowledge and HPV Vaccine Uptake through

Mother/Daughter Education, Journal of Community Health Nursing, 33:1, 54-67, DOI:

10.1080/07370016.2016.1120595

Perkins, R. B., Brogly, S. B., Adams, W. G., & Freund, K. M. (2012). Correlates of Human

Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates in Low-Income, Minority Adolescents: A Multicenter

Study. ​Journal of Womens Health,21​(8), 813-820. doi:10.1089/jwh.2011.3364

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Pottinger HL, Jacobs ET, Haenchen SD, Ernst KC (2018) Parental attitudes and perceptions

associated with childhood vaccine exemptions in high-exemption schools. PLoS ONE

13(6): e0198655. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. Pone.0198655

Schwartz J. L. (2010). HPV vaccination's second act: promotion, competition, and compulsion.

American journal of public health​, ​100​(10), 1841–1844. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.193060

Veerasingam, P., Grant, C. C., et al., (2017). Vaccine Education During Pregnancy and

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Wormsbecker AE, Johnson C, Bourns L, Harris T, Crowcroft NS, Deeks SL (2019)

Demonstration of background rates of three conditions of interest for vaccine safety

surveillance. PLoS ONE 14(1): e0210833. https:// doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210833