Summary of Research: This article explores the use of inoculation theory in creating positive and resistant attitudes toward desirable health behaviors.
What’s New in Vaccine Science?
Simply Put: Vaccination Saves Lives
Summary of Research: Vaccines are the most successful public health intervention that we have. They have significantly reduced the incidence of disease, death from disease, and vaccine-preventable disease-related costs to society. This article looks at the impact of vaccines as well as the challenges we face in maintaining high rates of immunization.
Drug versus Vaccine Investment: A Modeled Comparison of Economic Incentives
Summary of Research: This study looks at the cost investment vs revenue for vaccines as compared to drugs used to treat disease and how this may incentivize manufacturers to focus efforts on curative treatments rather than preventative vaccines.
Safety Monitoring in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
Summary of Research: This article provides an overview of the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and discusses its strengths, limitations, and how to address common misconceptions about the program.
Experiences with Medical Exemptions Following the Elimination of Nonmedical Vaccine Exemptions in California
Summary of Research: This article looks at the experiences of immunization staff and health officers in addressing medical exemption requests following passage of California’s 2015 Senate Bill 277, eliminating non medical exemptions to vaccines for school entry. Authors note that California’s experiences following SB277 may inform other states who consider stricter vaccine exemption policies.
Achieving the End Game: Employing “Vaccine Diplomacy” to Eradicate Polio in Pakistan
Summary of Research: Polio eradication in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria has proven difficult to achieve. In Pakistan, cultural barriers, diplomatic challenges, and regional conflict continue to impact public health efforts. “Vaccine diplomacy” will be necessary to move us forward.
Numerous Experimental Vaccines that Aim to Provide Multi-Season Protection are in Human Studies
Summary: In her 2018 article for The-Scientist.com, Ashley Taylor offers a well-crafted explanation of the groundbreaking research being done to develop a more universal flu vaccine.
Web-based Social Media Intervention to Increase Vaccine Acceptance: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary of Research: Individuals are increasingly turning to the Internet and Social Media to get answers to their health-related questions. Vaccine hesitancy seems to have spread so quickly in part due to the proliferation of anti-vaccine content online. As we see the return of vaccine-preventable diseases, interventions to address vaccine hesitancy and to increase acceptance of vaccines are needed. This study sought to determine if a Web-based, social media intervention could increase early childhood immunization rates.
Countering Vaccine Hesitancy
Summary of Research: In the setting of increasing parental hesitation regarding vaccines, this report provides information to help address parental concerns and discusses using patient dismissal as a last resort option.
Closing the Gap in Travel Medicine: Reframing Research Questions for a New Era
Summary of Research: Travel guidelines have traditionally focused on people traveling from wealthy nations to poorer nations. However patterns of travel, including more frequent travel by people from developing nations, are changing. This article looks to evaluate gaps in current travel recommendations and identify areas of opportunity to address the needs of travelers from emerging economies.