Luke Grant speaks with Susan Smith, College of Nursing & Health Sciences and study lead author of new research out from Flinders University about vaccines for young people and it’s disturbing key finding revealing expectant parents are encountering misinformation about children’s vaccinations on social media and in small inner circles because they feel inadequately informed by some healthcare professionals who lack sensitivity.

Published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, a review of 31 existing papers from high to middle income countries, including Australia, determined concerns about vaccine safety cause considerable anxiety amongst expectant parents, with fears of adverse reactions and long-term side effects.

Unbelievably, measles has resurfaced recently in Australia, largely due to pockets of low immunisation uptake. Despite the potential of death associated with Measles, it’s often considered by parents to be a minor childhood illness, according to the authors.

Mrs Smith says poor healthcare relationships can result in vaccine refusal because of safety and other concerns.

She says, “The research indicates multiple factors influence decisions to accept or reject vaccines based on perceived safety concerns, including false reports of autism links in the case of measles, which concerningly persist despite significant evidence to debunk this theory.

Download this podcast here