Vaccine Hesitancy: Public Trust, Expertise, and the War on Science

The public has voiced concern over the adverse effects of vaccines, and vaccine refusal and outbreaks are on the rise. Maya J. Goldenberg's book explores vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents in the industrialized North, arguing that mistrust lies not in misunderstanding but in mistrust. She suggests that historical and current discrimination in health care against marginalized communities continues to shape public perception of institutional trustworthiness, and advocates for trust-building measures that focus on relationships, transparency, and justice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2022
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

The public has expressed deep concerns about the potential adverse effects of vaccines since the introduction of the first smallpox vaccine by Dr. Edward Jenner in 1796. However, the controversy surrounding childhood immunization reached a new peak in 1998 when Dr. Andrew Wakefield linked the MMR vaccine to autism. While Wakefield's findings were eventually debunked and retracted, medical and scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the importance of routine immunizations in reducing the risk of life-threatening conditions such as measles, whooping cough, and polio. Nevertheless, vaccine refusal and vaccine-preventable outbreaks are on the rise, leading to a growing crisis of public trust.

This book delves into vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents in the industrialized North. While much of the biomedical, public health, and popular science literature has focused on the notion of a scientifically ignorant public, Maya J. Goldenberg argues that the real problem lies in the erosion of trust. Public confidence in scientific institutions and government bodies has been shaken by a series of scandals, fraud, and misconduct, leading to a loss of trust in the scientific consensus.

Goldenberg's book explores how vaccine studies sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry, persuasive rhetoric from the anti-vaccine movement, and the spread of populist knowledge on social media have all contributed to this mistrust. She highlights how historical and ongoing discrimination in healthcare against marginalized communities continues to shape public perceptions of institutional trustworthiness.

Goldenberg ultimately reframes vaccine hesitancy as a crisis of public trust rather than a war on science. She argues that while having strong scientific evidence supporting vaccine efficacy and safety is crucial, it is not enough to overcome the deep-rooted mistrust that exists in society. In a complex communications landscape, Vaccine Hesitancy advocates for trust-building measures that focus on building relationships, promoting transparency, and ensuring justice.

The book offers a comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy and refusal, including historical events, scientific misinformation, and social and cultural norms. It provides insights into the experiences of parents who have chosen not to vaccinate their children and explores the challenges they face in navigating the healthcare system. Goldenberg also offers practical strategies for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to address vaccine hesitancy and promote vaccine acceptance.

By recognizing the crisis of public trust surrounding vaccines, Vaccine Hesitancy offers a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about public health and the role of science in shaping public policy. It reminds us that building trust is a critical component of effective public health interventions and that a collaborative effort is needed to address vaccine hesitancy and promote vaccine acceptance.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822966906