The Impact of the Anti-Vaccination Movement and Vaccine Hesitancy on the Health of the Child

Green, Janet
Petty, Julia
Whiting, Lisa
Orr, Fiona
Walker, Karen
Brown, Ann Marie
Crisp, Elaine P.
Fowler, Cathrine
Jones, Linda K.

Janet Green, PhD, RN, MN (Ned), MBioethics, MA E-Learning, Grad Cert Paediatric Nursing (Intensive Care),is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Julia Petty, PhD, RSCN,is an Associate Professor (Learning & Teaching)/Senior Lecturer Child Nursing, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England.
Lisa Whiting, DHRes, MSc, BA Hons, RGN, RSCN, RNT, LTCL,is the Professional Lead for Children's Nursing and Associate Professor (Research), University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England.
Fiona Orr, PhD, MLitt, BHScN, RN,is an Adjunct Fellow, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Karen Walker, PhD, MN, BAppSc (Nsg), RGN, RSCN,is a Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney; and Clinical Associate Professor Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney; and affiliated with the George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Ann-Marie Brown, MClin (Nsg), BAppSc (Nsg), RN,is a Lecturer in Nursing, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
Elaine Peta Crisp, PhD, BN(Hons), RN,is a Lecturer and Graduate Research Coordinator in the School of Nursing, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
Cathrine Fowler, PhD, RN, B.Ed., M.Ed, Dip Teaching (Nursing), Cert Mothercraft, Cert Midwifery,is Emeritus Professor, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Linda K. Jones, PhD, MNA, BApSc (Nsg), GradDipEd (Nsg), RN, RM,is a Senior Lecturer, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

Pediatric Nursing 47(5):p 243, September-October 2021.

Few topics in medicine have been studied more thoroughly than vaccines. The science is clear on the public and global health benefits of vaccinations; however, the topic still results in vigorous discussion about their efficacy, safety, and possible adverse effects. Anti-vaccination groups and conspiracy theorists have found a place in the online world and on social media sites to spread misinformation. Parents want the best for their children, but when they are influenced by the anti-vaccination movement, the health of their children when not vaccinated can be compromised. They also present a risk to the health of others in the community. Health professionals, including nurses, have a responsibility to educate themselves and others about the science of vaccination, and take active steps to dispel misinformation.