The Importance of Educating the Public on Vaccinations

This thesis discusses the complex situation involved in a person’s choice or means to vaccinate
themselves as well as their children. Included is a brief history on vaccines, a section describing
their mechanism of action, as well as information on how the vaccines work within our bodies.
The focus will then turn to the patient’s choice on whether or not to vaccinate themselves or their
child, including factors such as socioeconomic status, education level and their location. Within
this paper are the views of anti-vaccinators, as well as the views of pro-vaccinators and
suggestions on how to reeducate the public. I conclude that the AFIX model is of particular value
in public education: This involves Assessment of immunization coverage, Feedback in
informing providers of their performance, Incentives to help keep them motivated, and eXchange
of information which can be combined with incentives. While the AFIX model has focused on
doctors and nurses in the past, I conclude this model would be most effectively employed with
pharmacists, who see patients more routinely and often have higher levels of trust among the
general public.