Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programme

Introduction Vaccine hesitancy is a complex public health issue referring to concerns about the safety, efficacy or need for vaccination. Relatively little is known about vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland. This ongoing study (2017–2021) focuses on biomedical and complementary and alternative medicine...

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Main Authors: Claudine Burton-Jeangros, Michael J. Deml, Kristen Jafflin, Sonja Merten, Benedikt Huber, Andrea Buhl, Eleonora Frau, Valérie Mettraux, Joanna Sonderegger, Paulina Kliem, Rachele Cattalani, Daniel Krüerke, Constanze Pfeiffer, Philip E. Tarr
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2019-11-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/11/e032218.full
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author Claudine Burton-Jeangros
Michael J. Deml
Kristen Jafflin
Sonja Merten
Benedikt Huber
Andrea Buhl
Eleonora Frau
Valérie Mettraux
Joanna Sonderegger
Paulina Kliem
Rachele Cattalani
Daniel Krüerke
Constanze Pfeiffer
Philip E. Tarr
author_facet Claudine Burton-Jeangros
Michael J. Deml
Kristen Jafflin
Sonja Merten
Benedikt Huber
Andrea Buhl
Eleonora Frau
Valérie Mettraux
Joanna Sonderegger
Paulina Kliem
Rachele Cattalani
Daniel Krüerke
Constanze Pfeiffer
Philip E. Tarr
author_sort Claudine Burton-Jeangros
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Vaccine hesitancy is a complex public health issue referring to concerns about the safety, efficacy or need for vaccination. Relatively little is known about vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland. This ongoing study (2017–2021) focuses on biomedical and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers and their patients since healthcare professionals play important roles in vaccination decision-making. This national research programme seeks to assess the sociocultural determinants of vaccine hesitancy regarding childhood and human papillomavirus vaccines in Switzerland. We aim to provide a detailed characterisation of vaccine hesitancy, including CAM and biomedical perspectives, patient–provider interactions, and sociocultural factors, to establish the mediating effects of vaccine hesitancy on underimmunisation, and to design an intervention to improve vaccination communication and counselling among physicians, parents and adolescents.Methods and analysis Our transdisciplinary team employs a sequential exploratory mixed-methods study design. We have established a network of more than 150 medical providers across Switzerland, including more than 40 CAM practitioners. For the qualitative component, we conduct interviews with parents, youth, and biomedical and CAM providers and observations of vaccination consultations and school vaccination information sessions. For the quantitative component, a sample of 1350 parents of young children and 722 young adults (15–26 years) and their medical providers respond to questionnaires. We measure vaccine hesitancy with the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines 15-item survey and review vaccination certificates to assess vaccination status. We administer additional questions based on findings from qualitative research, addressing communication with medical providers, vaccine information sources and perceptions of risk control vis-à-vis vaccine-preventable diseases. The questionnaires capture sociodemographics, political views, religion and spirituality, and moral foundations.Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the local ethics committee. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to healthcare professionals, researchers and the public via conferences and public presentations.
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spelling doaj-art-1ec7e4e00d3b4c119de92fd928d5270c2025-08-20T02:07:28ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552019-11-0191110.1136/bmjopen-2019-032218Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programmeClaudine Burton-Jeangros0Michael J. Deml1Kristen Jafflin2Sonja Merten3Benedikt Huber4Andrea Buhl5Eleonora Frau6Valérie Mettraux7Joanna Sonderegger8Paulina Kliem9Rachele Cattalani10Daniel Krüerke11Constanze Pfeiffer12Philip E. Tarr13Institute of Sociological Research, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland1 Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, SwitzerlandUniversity of Basel, Basel, Switzerland2 University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland3 Department of Pediatrics, HFR Fribourg Cantonal Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland1 Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland2 University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland2 University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland2 University of Basel, Basel, SwitzerlandClinic for Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland2 University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland5 Klinik Arlesheim, Arlesheim, Switzerland1 Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland2 University of Basel, Basel, SwitzerlandIntroduction Vaccine hesitancy is a complex public health issue referring to concerns about the safety, efficacy or need for vaccination. Relatively little is known about vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland. This ongoing study (2017–2021) focuses on biomedical and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers and their patients since healthcare professionals play important roles in vaccination decision-making. This national research programme seeks to assess the sociocultural determinants of vaccine hesitancy regarding childhood and human papillomavirus vaccines in Switzerland. We aim to provide a detailed characterisation of vaccine hesitancy, including CAM and biomedical perspectives, patient–provider interactions, and sociocultural factors, to establish the mediating effects of vaccine hesitancy on underimmunisation, and to design an intervention to improve vaccination communication and counselling among physicians, parents and adolescents.Methods and analysis Our transdisciplinary team employs a sequential exploratory mixed-methods study design. We have established a network of more than 150 medical providers across Switzerland, including more than 40 CAM practitioners. For the qualitative component, we conduct interviews with parents, youth, and biomedical and CAM providers and observations of vaccination consultations and school vaccination information sessions. For the quantitative component, a sample of 1350 parents of young children and 722 young adults (15–26 years) and their medical providers respond to questionnaires. We measure vaccine hesitancy with the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines 15-item survey and review vaccination certificates to assess vaccination status. We administer additional questions based on findings from qualitative research, addressing communication with medical providers, vaccine information sources and perceptions of risk control vis-à-vis vaccine-preventable diseases. The questionnaires capture sociodemographics, political views, religion and spirituality, and moral foundations.Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the local ethics committee. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to healthcare professionals, researchers and the public via conferences and public presentations.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/11/e032218.full
spellingShingle Claudine Burton-Jeangros
Michael J. Deml
Kristen Jafflin
Sonja Merten
Benedikt Huber
Andrea Buhl
Eleonora Frau
Valérie Mettraux
Joanna Sonderegger
Paulina Kliem
Rachele Cattalani
Daniel Krüerke
Constanze Pfeiffer
Philip E. Tarr
Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programme
BMJ Open
title Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programme
title_full Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programme
title_fullStr Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programme
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programme
title_short Determinants of vaccine hesitancy in Switzerland: study protocol of a mixed-methods national research programme
title_sort determinants of vaccine hesitancy in switzerland study protocol of a mixed methods national research programme
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/11/e032218.full
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