Vaccination decision-making problems among parents. Implications for the doctor–patient relationship

Abstract

Currently, there is a heated debate in society around the topic of vaccination. The views of supporters and opponents of vaccinations clash, which is particularly visible on the Internet and social media. Clearly, the discussions are particularly lively at this time due to the challenge facing countries around the world to immunise large numbers of people with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in order to contain the raging pandemic. Although the dispute over vaccination undoubtedly contributes to an increase in public awareness of this issue, it also brings a large dose of chaos and disinformation. The discussion about vaccinations is often accompanied by a lack of substantive content and presentation of scientifically verified arguments, while mutual hostility, threats and dissemination of untrue information dominate. This situation negatively affects parents who, as a consequence, have a problem with making an informed decision about their child's vaccination. It is also a source of high stress: on the one hand, there is the obligation to vaccinate, while on the other hand, there is a fear of adverse reactions to vaccines, which is framed in psychology as the so-called approach-avoidance conflict and the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance. Many parents deal with this conflict by looking for information, e.g. by asking their paediatrician. However, they do not always find understanding with them either, which deepens their anxiety and frustration. The aim of the article is to draw attention to the above problem, to characterise the social discussion on vaccination, to emphasise the special role of the doctor and doctor-patient communication in this regard, and to provide recommendations on how to effectively conduct this kind of communication.