For more parents, ‘vaccine refusal’ is becoming vaccine delay, but it’s no less dangerous
Pediatricians are reporting a trend where parents delay rather than refuse childhood vaccinations, often citing logistical excuses. This behavior is contributing to a decline in vaccination rates and a rise in preventable diseases like measles.
Why it matters
Declining vaccination rates pose a significant public health risk, leading to outbreaks of diseases that were previously under control.
Some parents aren't outwardly anti-vaccine, but they are still delaying their kids' shots. - Thomas Barwick/Stone RF/Getty Images Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez is a primary care pediatrician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. She hosts the American Academy of Pediatrics Healthy Children podcast for parents.
Vaccine refusal doesn't always sound like vaccine refusal in my pediatric office anymore. More and more parents are delaying vaccines and citing logistics, outsourcing the decision to the parent who isn't in the room or simply wanting more time. I hear countless variations, but the result is often the same: Children leave my office unvaccinated.
"Oh, we're definitely not anti-vaccine. We're just waiting for Dad."
Dad comes to the next visit. "I think Mom should be here when we do them."
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