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Psychological and Social Aspects of Vaccination Hesitancy – Implications for Travel Medicine in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis. A Narrative Review
Milionis, C.; Ilias, I.; Tselebis, A.; Pachi, A. Psychological and Social Aspects of Vaccination Hesitancy—Implications for Travel Medicine in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Narrative Review. Medicina2023, 59, 1744.
Milionis, C.; Ilias, I.; Tselebis, A.; Pachi, A. Psychological and Social Aspects of Vaccination Hesitancy—Implications for Travel Medicine in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Narrative Review. Medicina 2023, 59, 1744.
Milionis, C.; Ilias, I.; Tselebis, A.; Pachi, A. Psychological and Social Aspects of Vaccination Hesitancy—Implications for Travel Medicine in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Narrative Review. Medicina2023, 59, 1744.
Milionis, C.; Ilias, I.; Tselebis, A.; Pachi, A. Psychological and Social Aspects of Vaccination Hesitancy—Implications for Travel Medicine in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Crisis: A Narrative Review. Medicina 2023, 59, 1744.
Abstract
Vaccines are an important tool of preventive medicine. Organized vaccination programs have saved numerous people from serious infectious diseases. Surprisingly, there is a considerable portion of the population who oppose vaccinations. In particular, the existence of anti-vaccination perceptions among travelers to countries with endemic diseases is a major public health concern. Although hesitancy towards vaccinations is not a novel phenomenon, it came back to the forefront during the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. This review explored the etiology of anti-vaccination beliefs among travelers and drew conclusions about their impact on public health and society in general. For this purpose, a purposeful search for data on the causative factors of vaccine hesitancy and their impact on people’s health was conducted. A descriptive analysis of the findings and conclusions about possible implications in health policy and clinical practice are presented. Fear of side effects, lack of credence in the necessity of vaccines, and mistrust of medical authorities are important causative factors. Their interplay shapes hesitancy towards vaccines. However, anti-vaccination beliefs can also be an aspect of a more general unconventional stance of life. Health care professionals and organizations must be ready to tackle vaccine hesitancy by making the necessary interventions. Correcting misconceptions about vaccinations is a prerequisite for ensuring personal and public health, especially in the context of a pandemic or epidemic. Moreover, ensuring the efficacy and safety of vaccines, especially in cases of modern technology applications, is a fundamental factor in addressing people’s concerns about vaccines. For this purpose, medical authorities and organizations must provide accurate and clear information on vaccines so as to eliminate misinformation. Furthermore, clinicians should cultivate their communication skills in order to convey the appropriate messages to prospective recipients of vaccinations.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
