Can mandatory vaccinations win hesitancy and refusal? An analysis by ASSET project
Milan, 11th April 2016
Can mandatory vaccinations win hesitancy and refusal? An analysis by ASSET project
The growing spread of hesitancy and refusal in Europe fuel the debate over mandatory vaccinations, whose efficacy as an instrument to maintain high level of vaccine coverage has been questioned. A study performed by experts from the ASSET project found no evidence of a relationship between mandatory vaccinations and rates of childhood immunization in European countries.
ASSET is an EU funded project aimed to share knowledge and improve involvement of diverse stakeholders in preparedness and response to epidemics and pandemics.
The authors of the research gathered data on all the countries within the European Economic Area; information on policies of mandatory or recommended vaccinations came from the VENICE project, while those on childhood immunisation coverage were obtained from UNICEF. The analysis focused on three relevant vaccinations, on which different policies have been adopted in different countries: polio (Pol3), measles (MCV1) and pertussis containing vaccines (DTP3).
From 2007 to 2013, countries where a vaccination was mandatory did not usually reach better coverage than neighbour or similar countries where there was no legal obligation.
Despite its limits, the study suggests that making vaccines mandatory does not necessarily increase vaccine coverage and other factors – such as, for instance, difficulties of healthcare systems in reaching all children – could be involved.
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