Addressing Vaccination Hesitancy: Importance of Effective Communication and Follow-Up Campaigns

Vaccination hesitancy has existed since the first vaccine was developed. There have always been detractors of its benefits, but the majority of people around the world recognize its benefits in preventing disease, reducing the severity and avoiding disability and death. However, during the pandemic, enabled by social networks and the penetration of society, voices sent away have increased their echo and cast doubt in the population . Fortunately, effective communication resolves doubts in people who are looking for factual and objective information. Therefore, authorities and health workers have a vital role in disseminating evidence-based information and clarifying doubts among the population.

The field of vaccination is becoming increasingly complex and the number of vaccines has increased, which is why more and more infectious diseases can be prevented. Therefore, it is necessary to study, study, discuss and keep up to date with the latest information. Doctors must be prepared to give advice and guidance to patients and their families. Although this is a well-known topic, doubts resurface with each venture.

Starting on April 1, in Costa Rica, as in many countries in the Americas and other regions of the world, a follow-up campaign against measles began. Measles is a disease that can cause complications and even death. The virus is a virulent virus, which means it “lowers the patient’s defenses” and exposes them to many more infections. The perception of the risk of disease decreased, and it decreased because we see fewer and fewer cases, thanks to good coverage of the standard program, reinforced by follow-up campaigns. This is a very contagious virus, one case can cause up to 17 secondary cases, and this makes it necessary for the Ministry of Health to develop strategies to maintain high coverage so that, if the virus enters to the country, the level of immunity of the population hindering its circulation. Parallel to this, a very good information and communication strategy must be made.

It is important to be clear that public health measures have a population perspective and are different from the individual approach of the doctor and the patient within an office.

A recurring teaching among parents and even some doctors:

1. Why, if the child has had two doses of the vaccine, should I vaccinate him again? Because every year, boys and girls are not elevated antibodies that protect them from infections, for various reasons, including: the loss of the cold chain, which can occur from the moment the vaccine leaves the cold warehouses until it reaches the patient’s arm, cleaning the area with alcohol to introduce the vaccine, the boy or girl does not raise antibodies for reasons specific to their immune system, this happens in 15% of those who received the vaccine, and means many with low immunity that accumulates over the years, what is called a pocket of susceptibles. If we add to that the unvaccinated population, and the risk due to the increase in cases in the American region, the current situation deserves a follow-up campaign. The rationale for applying an additional dose Not only to protect the individuals who receive the vaccine, but also to enhance the herd immunity of the population. By vaccinating a high enough percentage of the population, the spread of the virus is reduced, protecting vulnerable groups who cannot be vaccinated, such as very young babies or people with compromised immune systems the danger. The purpose is to achieve individual and community protection against this infectious disease.

1. But if there is no revolution: Unfortunately, if yes, at the regional level there has been an increase cases of measles. By 2023 in the Americas Region, 14,884 suspected and 53 confirmed cases of measles were reported. In United States of America – country most visited by Costa Ricans – until April 18, 2024, 18 jurisdictions (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, State New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.) altogether reported 125 cases of measles. This represents a high risk to our population. The strategy initiated by the Ministry of Health is a follow-up campaign, not in response to the outbreak in Costa Rica, which would mean a very different context and vaccination strategy . This campaign aims to prevent outbreaks by increasing the level of immunity with an additional dose that vaccinates susceptible people and strengthens the level of immunity in the vaccine.

In public health, preventive measures must be taken based on situational analysis and projections, to avoid future damage. So, we can suffer from Cassandra’s curse: we predict the future, but they don’t believe it.

We can fight Cassandra’s curse with education and information, and above all with knowledge and preventive health actions, such as vaccination.

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