The vaccine misinformation landscape in family medicine

Abstract

The chapter on vaccine misinformation in family medicine is designed to review the mounting anti-vaccine sentiment seen in both the public and in some family practice settings. The chapter offers a brief overview of post-modernism and the anti-vaccination movement, family physician-generated difficulties in complying with the unified vaccination schedules, and some patient-generated concerns. Also included is a brief overview of difficulties generated through utilization of the Internet to find advice on recommended vaccinations. Scattered throughout the chapter are bits of advice on how to increase immunization education for practicing physicians. Methods to increase vaccination rates in office practice are also briefly reviewed.