What is it about?
Yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical regions of South America and Africa. Although yellow fever is a vaccine-preventable disease, there is unequal access to the vaccine. This study explored the perceptions of vulnerable individuals (elderly and pregnant women) affected by yellow fever outbreaks and vaccinated during reactive mass vaccination campaigns in Uganda.
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Why is it important?
• The yellow fever vaccine was recently implemented into Uganda's routine immunization program, aiming to reach millions of Ugandans. • Our study clearly identifies knowledge gaps and reliance on community sources for information. The lack of trustworthy information and politicization of vaccination campaigns amplified vaccine mistrust. • We argue that informed consent can only be achieved if the principle of vaccination - the protection from disease - is fully understood.
Perspectives
Often, interventions are designed without understanding the community's perceptions. However, if the global health community and relevant stakeholders know what perceptions and barriers exist, health programs can be better adapted to reach vulnerable groups.
Lena Huebl
Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine & I. Dept. of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Perceptions of yellow fever emergency mass vaccinations among vulnerable groups in Uganda: A qualitative study, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, May 2024, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012173.
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