More and more parents are becoming positive towards immunizing their kids following the latest outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2014 and early 2015, measles and whooping cough outbreaks were noted, particularly in unvaccinated individuals. This then boosted health professionals to strengthen their advocacy towards vaccination compliance of children and teenagers. Many parents remain unfazed and stood by their belief of not vaccinating their children, even if it means not being able to send their children to school due to the vaccination protocols prior to school entry. However, a national poll conducted in May 2015 suggests that parents' views have changed over the past year.
The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health surveyed parents across the United States regarding the differences in their perceptions about the benefits and safety of vaccines from 2014 to 2015. The researchers also asked about the views of the parents regarding the risks of children in contracting measles and whooping cough in the US. A large chunk of the surveyed subjects said their perceptions have not changed but a much bigger population expressed their change of views and now regard vaccines as having more benefits, compared to the few, who think that vaccines have lesser positive effects. The same results were yielded when asked about vaccine safety perceptions. The researchers also found that more parents deem that there is a more increased risk of developing measles and whooping cough over the past year, compared to those who think that there is a decreased risk.
Statistical records show that 61 percent of the population believe that the benefits of vaccines remain the same over the past year, 34 percent think vaccines exhibit more benefits and 5 percent perceive vaccines to have less benefits. Furthermore, 68 percent of the study subjects think that vaccines are equally safe compared to last year, 25 percent believe that vaccines are safer at present and 7 percent perceive vaccines to be less safe. The researchers also gathered data regarding parents' support to immunization programs prior to school and daycare entry. The findings of the said investigation include 59 percent saying their support remains the same, 35 percent are more willing to support the vaccination programs and 6 percent are less to show approval. On the average, one-quarter to one-third of parents are showing more positive response to vaccination.
The results of the survey suggest that the latest outbreaks of measles and whooping cough, together with the rise of information regarding vaccine benefits and safety may have persuaded more parents toward vaccine support. According to the report released by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, the impact of this poll will ultimately be measured by whether more parents immunize their children.
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