Enhancing Future Provider Preparedness for Influenza Vaccine Conversations
Description
Vaccine hesitancy - the reluctance or refusal to receive a vaccine despite having access to vaccination services - presents a critical danger to population health worldwide. In 2019, the World Health Organization listed vaccine hesitancy among the top ten threats to global health for its role in undermining the progress made towards controlling vaccine-preventable diseases. The influenza vaccine has significantly reduced disease morbidity and mortality for over 60 years. However, recent years have seen a decline in vaccination rates, with Iowa consistently falling below the 70% herd immunity threshold. Preparing healthcare providers for conversations on vaccines is more critical than ever, as their recommendations and input can significantly influence patient decisions. Vaccine hesitancy stems from various factors, with primary concerns among patients and guardians revolving around safety, trust, necessity, and accessibility. This hesitancy exists on a spectrum, and trust between providers and their patients or guardians plays the most influential role in vaccine decision-making. However, proper education around vaccine conversations is not a mainstay in medical education. Numerous models have been proposed for educating students and residents on vaccine hesitancy and fostering constructive dialogues to encourage informed decision-making. This project proposes adding a component to medical curriculum focused on ongoing education regarding vaccine hesitancy discussions and management.
Citation Information
Beckman, Emma; Bloomquist, Anna; Woodrum, Laurel; and Lambert, Mark, "Enhancing Future Provider Preparedness for Influenza Vaccine Conversations" (2026). Office of Research DMU Research Symposium. 26.
https://digitalcommons.dmu.edu/researchsymposium/2025rs/2025abstracts/26
Enhancing Future Provider Preparedness for Influenza Vaccine Conversations
Vaccine hesitancy - the reluctance or refusal to receive a vaccine despite having access to vaccination services - presents a critical danger to population health worldwide. In 2019, the World Health Organization listed vaccine hesitancy among the top ten threats to global health for its role in undermining the progress made towards controlling vaccine-preventable diseases. The influenza vaccine has significantly reduced disease morbidity and mortality for over 60 years. However, recent years have seen a decline in vaccination rates, with Iowa consistently falling below the 70% herd immunity threshold. Preparing healthcare providers for conversations on vaccines is more critical than ever, as their recommendations and input can significantly influence patient decisions. Vaccine hesitancy stems from various factors, with primary concerns among patients and guardians revolving around safety, trust, necessity, and accessibility. This hesitancy exists on a spectrum, and trust between providers and their patients or guardians plays the most influential role in vaccine decision-making. However, proper education around vaccine conversations is not a mainstay in medical education. Numerous models have been proposed for educating students and residents on vaccine hesitancy and fostering constructive dialogues to encourage informed decision-making. This project proposes adding a component to medical curriculum focused on ongoing education regarding vaccine hesitancy discussions and management.
