Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination

Anti-Vaxx Stories: A qualitative study of parents beliefs about vaccination

Joint Conference 20^th Global Summit & Expo on Vaccines, Immunization & B2B & International Conference & Expo on Clinical Virology and Infectious Diseases

September 18-19, 2017 Houston, USA

Dan Bustillos

University of Washington Bothell, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Vaccines Vaccin

Abstract:

Background: Vaccination has proven a controversial parenting decision despite conclusive scientific evidence and consensus among healthcare communities of immunization�??s preventive public health benefits and its low risks. In these polarized times, the controversy has become emotionally-fraught and increasingly vitriolic, making beneficial dialogue and mutual understanding elusive. Aim: This qualitative study uses narrative interviews to examine the structures, tropes and themes of the stories people use to form and reflect their beliefs of the practice of vaccination, with the hope that a comparison between the stories used by people of varying beliefs can aid a more constructive conversation between these groups to emerge. Research Design & Methodology: Qualitative study of stories using narrative interviews of parents along the entire anti-/provaccination spectrum of belief. The stories that our participants use to form and navigate their identity as anti-vaccination, vaccinehesitant, or pro-vaccination are transcribed and coded for their various themes, tropes and structures. Research Overview and Research Implications: We will use the data derived from our structured, transcribed interviews to compare and contrast our findings across the different groups in order to better understand what vaccines mean to people and how various groups make sense of the practice of vaccination. Their stories illustrate the complex reasoning involved in vaccination decisions, and challenge the simplistic way in which the vaccine debate is typically depicted. We then use these insights and interpretations to provide new strategies for fostering more productive communication between these groups, which can then yield more therapeutic policy proposals.

Biography :

An Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing & Health Studies, Dr. Bustillos has also held faculty appointments at Saint Louis University’s Center for Health Care Ethics, and its College for Public Health and Social Justice, as well as the Health Law & Policy Institute at the University of Houston Law Center. Dan is also active in health policymaking at both state and federal levels–most notably in the areas of health disparities, vaccination, cancer prevention, and pandemic preparedness. Dan’s textbook Understanding Health Care Ethics & Medical Law was published in 2013. Currently, Dan is at work on a book manuscript on the landmark 1904 U.S. Supreme Court case of Jacobson vs. Massachusetts, and on how a historical re-contextualization of this case can help us understand current vaccination controversies.