My child is one in a million: Parents hesitant to vaccinate their children, or communities of practice in the field of (alternative) medicine

A growing concern over declining childhood vaccination rates prompts a closer examination of vaccine hesitancy in Poland. This study, based on 80 in-depth interviews with hesitant parents, unveils their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. It explores the influence of offline interactions with family, friends, and healthcare professionals, as well as online sources, particularly social media, in shaping their views. The research underscores the interplay between fields of medical and alternative knowledge, revealing key roles played by trust, authority, individualism, and care in a changing society. Vaccine-hesitant parents draw (mis)information from communities of practice, reinforcing their individualistic tendencies and overconfidence in their own findings, which often question medical knowledge. Challenges to scientific knowledge and medical authorities arise from issues including individualism, the medicalization of health, and perceived communication gaps with healthcare professionals. To address these concerns, leveraging peer influence within pro-vaccine communities and facilitating dialogue led by nurses emerge as potential pathways forward, promoting evidence-based knowledge to counter vaccine hesitancy.