What moves opponents


Vaccinations can protect children against dangerous diseases. Some pathogens such as the smallpox virus are now regarded as eradicated, thanks to vaccination programmes. Yet, parents in the industry fear the Nations possible side effects, and not to have their children vaccinated. The result: Preventable diseases such as measles continue to spread.

The Minister of health, Jens Spahn does not want to accept this any longer and calls for a mandatory vaccination against measles. The debate is already been going on for years in a more or less heated. According to Spahn, a majority for the mandatory vaccination on the horizon now, both in society as well as across party lines.

Control would be, according to Spahn quickly implemented

In community facilities such as schools and kindergartens, it is a matter of responsibility, not just for the child, but for all, argues Spahn. Next week, the Grand coalition in Berlin will talk about a vaccination. “If you want, you can implement such a scheme quickly,” said Spahn.

But where does the fear of Vaccination? Many of the allegations of Impfgegnern have now been scientifically refuted. Only recently, researchers were able to exclude to a large-scale study in Denmark, once again, that a vaccination against measles, Mumps and rubella (MMR) can cause autism. However, such circulating false information are still in social networks, shows a recent study published in the journal “Vaccine”.

In addition to the fear of perceived side effects also conspiracy theories, lack of trust in science and a General preference of alternative medicine such as homeopathy circulating among Impfskeptikern.

For the analysis, the researchers impfkritische Facebook had examined Postings from 197 individuals who commented on the Impfvideo a U.S. children’s hospital. The study is not representative, but gives an insight into what moves opponents. “We want to understand impfkritische parents, to give Doctors the opportunity to communicate with you and respectfully about the importance of immunization,” says Brian Primack of the University of Pittsburgh, lead author of the study.

The most impfkritischen comments came from mothers. The content of the Postings were four main arguments:

  • Under the keyword “trust”, the researchers collected contributions, the mistrust brought to the scientific and especially the medical Community.
  • “Alternative” related posts, which focused on the vaccination of chemicals contained focus and, instead, homeopathic remedies propagated.
  • “Safety” included those comments, in which it was feared Impfrisiken, such as the fear of autism.
  • “Conspiracy” describes, finally, those contributions which argued that governments or other organisations to keep information about the dangers of vaccination.

The identification of these four groups does not mean that lump-sum messages for the Vaccination work, explains Co-author Beth Hoffman. “Someone in the trust group that vaccinations trigger autism, which has no effect, because the goods at all the concerns.”

Therefore, it is important to develop tailor-made messages. In addition, the researchers advocate for a better mediation of media competence, more engaging education and more Social Media activities of physicians in impfkritischen Online discussions.

Ten percent of Germans are skeptical about vaccinations

The children’s doctor, Burkhard Rodeck, who was not involved in the study, advises, to distinguish between impfkritischen and dogmatic parents: the Former arguments are still accessible, the latter not. In Germany, a good ten percent of the population, vaccination would be skeptical of – but only a small part of them reject you basically.

Therefore, he considers Persuasion important: “We need a vaccination coverage of over 95 per cent, of diseases to eradicate.” In Germany, many people in the scientific community would no longer trust, apathy: “A designation as a children’s disease sounds cute, but just the example of measles shows that such diseases have a high potential for complications, and still lethal.” A General mandatory vaccination, he sees, however, is critical because these parents could serve as a deterrent and in other European countries have proven.

According to the düsseldorf children’s and Youth medicine Hermann-Josef Kahl, the less the opponents are, however, to the Problem, but rather that many parents forget vaccination dates. “To do in practice, is not controlled in case of doubt, perhaps the vaccination card,” says Kahl.

In addition, some children are not vaccinated consistently. In order to be optimally against measles immunized, for example, are two vaccinations required. However, not all receive both of the vaccinations. Spahn calls, therefore, for a control, non-vaccinated adults can mitimpfen, if you go with your children to the doctor.

Summarized: According to the Federal Minister of health, Jens Spahn, a mandatory vaccination could be implemented in Germany as quickly. Next week, the Grand coalition will be discussed. Scientific analyses show that the skepticism about vaccinations can have numerous causes. Researchers therefore call for comprehensive awareness programs. However, not only Impfskeptiker press Coverage. Some parents miss unintentionally recommended Vaccinations.