How a generally well-accepted measles vaccine mandate may lead to inequities and decreased vaccine uptake

A preregistered survey study in Germany

Bibliographic Data

ID15367563
AuthorsJulia Neufeind (0000-0001-9273-9387, Robert Koch Institute, corresponding author), Nora Schmid-Küpke (0000-0003-3712-2987, Robert Koch Institute), Eva Rehfue (0000-0002-4318-8846, Zimmer Biomet (Germany)), Eva Rehfuess, Cornelia Betsch (0000-0002-2856-7303, University of Erfurt), Ole Wichmann (0000-0003-2353-7188, Robert Koch Institute)
Year2022
Volume22
Issue1
Pages1846-1846
Publication date2022-10-03
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMC Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1471-2458 • E-ISSN: 1471-2458
PublisherBioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1186/s12889-022-14075-y
PMID36192739
OpenAlexW4300167388
LanguageEN
References cited35

The new measles vaccine mandate in Germany, though well accepted by many, might have unintended consequences. Parents with lower socio-economic status, who know less about the mandate and vaccine, might be less likely to comply with it. The mandate may also lead to some parents omitting other childhood vaccines, as a way to restore their freedom. This could decrease vaccination coverage of other vaccines. Any potential loss of trust might provoke more reactance and lower acceptance of mandates. Policymakers should now expand communication activities on the mandate, monitor trends in vaccination coverage carefully and take measures to strengthen trust

Environmental health · Immunization · Mandate · Measles · Measles vaccine · Mediation · Political science · Vaccination · Immune responses and vaccinations · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy · Immunology

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Open DOIOpen Access