MSMA Mounts Media Campaign:
Are Parents Avoiding Vaccinations
Because of Safety Concerns?
Missouri Medicine, MSMA’s Journal, is publishing the article, “Are Parents Avoiding Vaccinations Because of Safety Fears? Missouri Medicine Addresses a Growing Concern,” in its January/February 2012 issue.
Authors Kenneth Haller, MD, and Anthony Scalzo, MD, both of Saint Louis University School of Medicine/SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, examine the science around vaccinations as well as the many messages that parents get from the media, from well intentioned but poorly informed anti-vaccine advocates, and even from doctors that can lead parents to be wary of immunizations for their own children.
To that end, MSMA is embarking on a statewide campaign to encourage physicians to acknowledge and address the emotional basis of parental vaccine refusal so they can be successful in implementing their patient’s vaccination schedule. While a fact-based explanation of vaccine safety is essential, physicians must recognize that they can and should use their experience and expertise to counter the fear-mongering of vaccine deniers.
Vaccination Campaign Collaborators
The Missouri State Medical Association appreciates the following partners and collaborators in the Association’s campaign to encourage vaccinations, using two articles from this issue as the campaign’s springboard.
Our collaborators are:
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center
Washington University
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine
Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City
University of Missouri - Columbia School of Medicine
University of Missouri Children’s Hospital, Columbia
Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Missouri Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Missouri Academy of Family Physicians
Missouri Section, American College of OB/GYN
Missouri Chapter, American College of Physicians
Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
University of Missouri Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
