[Vaccination: barriers and motivation].

Abstract

The investigation is aimed at analysing from different aspects the complex nature of the barriers against vaccination and with this the prerequisites for the development of adequate motivations among the population. The pilot study is based on the detailed interviewing of 80 persons (30 parents or mothers with infants aged up to 15 months; 30 parents or mothers with children aged from six to ten years; 20 physicians). The group interviewed was additionally broken down into persons favouring vaccination (50%) and others skeptical about or opposed to vaccination (50%). The barriers against vaccination likely to influence the attitude of the population in the Federal Republic of Germany are mentioned below: In the general consciousness of health, health education and preventive medicine the idea of vaccination does not play an important role. Vaccination is not seen as a preventive means against the central risks of life (environmental burden, stress factors, road traffic, semiluxuries). The body is not expected to suffer lasting damage from infectious diseases in childhood; the knowledge of the risks resulting from childhood diseases or infectious diseases is minimal. Childhood ailments and infectious diseases successfully overcome by the sufferer tend to weaken the motivating insight into the necessity of vaccination. The general outbreak of infectious diseases and epidemics in the Federal Republic of Germany is considered rather unlikely. The probability of being attacked by infectious diseases regarded as dangerous is deemed negligible.