Barriers to Improved Immunization Rates and Ways to Overcome Them

Abstract

Infectious diseases have great impact on the health and welfare of the United States population. The reduction of vaccine-preventable diseases is ranked by public health experts as one of the top ten public health achievements in the twenty-first century. There are many barriers encountered to improving immunization rates. This article identifies several common barriers to improved immunization rates and explores ways to overcome them. The barriers explored and discussed include a lack of community demand for vaccination, poor patient access to vaccinations, and patient misinformation about vaccinations leading to vaccine hesitancy. Lack of physician knowledge of vaccine recommendations, complex vaccination schedules, arbitrary state laws, and limited use of electronic records and tools also create barriers to improved immunization rates. Additionally, the lack of regular assessment of vaccine status, poor healthcare system and financial incentives to vaccinate, and missed opportunities for vaccination lead to less than optimal vaccination rates. Perhaps one of the biggest barriers to improved vaccination rates is poor clinician communication, especially with vaccine-hesitant patients. Poor communication regarding what to say when recommending vaccines and how to recommend vaccines reduces immunization rates. Some barriers to improved immunization rates require the development and implementation of clinical protocols into healthcare systems to overcome them. Other barriers require education of the public as well as physicians and other professionals. With improved understanding of these barriers, immunization rates of United States citizens can be improved.