Will a new vaccine be used?

Abstract

Despite the fact that vaccines are successful at preventing disease as well as cost-effective, many factors prevent their uptake. These factors are different for different regions. In the United States and Europe, several factors have been identified. The first of these factors is complacency. Both patients and parents lack the knowledge of disease. In addition, physicians are often apathetic about vaccines. There is a lack of training in public health and preventive medicine in that the mind-set of physicians is not directed toward prevention but rather toward treatment. Younger physicians are often less aware of disease controlled by vaccines than their older colleagues are because they have not seen them. One of the paradoxes of vaccines is that success leads to decreased use. Despite the Vaccine for Children's Program, which has provided ample funding for the purchase of vaccines, there are limits on funding for people, facilities, and systematized approaches to maintaining high levels of immunizations. Finally, and perhaps most important, there is fear, real and unfounded. Additionally, in many developing countries there is a lack of focus on preventive medicine, including immunization, as well as limited funding available. Reasonable steps can be taken to overcome these obstacles.