Vaccination and immunity: the role of the pediatrician in shaping parents' commitment to preventive measures

Mass immunization of the population is the most effective measure to combat infectious diseases. Despite the fact that the introduction of the vaccine does not guarantee that the child will not get sick, vaccination can reduce the risk of complications and death. In recent years, there has been a negative trend towards a decrease in the number of children who have been vaccinated according to the National Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations. The situation is complicated by unreliable information about the dangers of vaccines, mainly in groups of anti-vaxcers, on social networks, which negatively affects the attitude of parents to vaccination. The review provides an analysis of the causes and conditions affecting the decision of parents to refuse vaccination of children. The main reason for refusal is related to the fear of harm to the child after vaccination. Despite this, most parents express the opinion that the main source of authoritative information on immunization issues is the district pediatrician. The medical staff of the polyclinic have a direct influence on the formation of parents' opinions. The high professional competence of the doctor, the ability to inform parents in an accessible way about the risk of complications in the event of severe forms of infectious diseases, careful medical selection of children before vaccination, contributes to parents making the right decision. On the other hand, the word of a pediatrician or a specialist doctor does not always have an effect on parents. Many of them prefer to trust people who do not have medical education, the media, the incompetent opinion of bloggers, etc. In order to achieve the positive effect of mass immunization, it is necessary to popularize specific prevention of infectious pathology, extensive explanatory work by leading specialists in the media, and increase the professional authority of a doctor, primarily primary care.