Doctors Can Ease Vaccine Fears

About 1 out of 4 parents have doubts about giving certain vaccines to their children, results of a survey suggest. But a doctor’s reassurance may make a difference. Researchers analyzed nearly 4,000 interviews with parents. They were part of a U.S. government survey. About 28% of parents fit into one of three groups. They were unsure about childhood vaccines, decided to delay them, or refused them. All three groups expressed concern about safety. But some of them changed their minds. The reason cited most often was new information or reassurance from a doctor. Reuters Health news service wrote about the study October 6. It appeared in the journal Pediatrics.