Analysis
Social media users in Indonesia are discussing a video about a mother refusing vaccines for her child. Some responses echoed the mother’s concerns about the safety of polio vaccines. A pediatrician responded to the video by calling on others to be compassionate and understanding of parents who are hesitant about vaccines. Although most commenters agreed with these strategies to encourage vaccination, others claimed, without evidence, that modern vaccines weaken children’s immune systems.
Recommendations
Communicators may help ease parents’ vaccine hesitancy by acknowledging and responding with empathy to their concerns. Messaging may explain how vaccines are tested for safety, why they are important to protect children and their families, and what side effects parents can expect after vaccination. Talking points may also emphasize that vaccines do not weaken the immune system. They strengthen its ability to fight deadly diseases like polio.