SuppliedShannon MacDonald, a professor in the faculty of nursing at the University of Alberta, was recently named the new Canada Research Chair in Applied Pediatric Immunization. Primarily, MacDonald’s research focuses on “system-level strategies to improve vaccine uptake.”
Instead of changing the minds of individuals, MacDonald focuses on making systematic structures and processes “function in a way that getting immunized is just the easiest and most obvious choice for people.”
Her latest research is concerned with answering frequently asked questions that parents have when it comes to immunizing their children.
MacDonald aims to ensure “[that vaccine] providers are well equipped to provide the vaccines and answer questions.”
MacDonald works to provide clear answers to parents’ concerns
According to MacDonald, vaccine hesitancy is not an issue, and it is only relevant to a small minority. “The vast majority of parents vaccinate their children,” she said.
As such, she focuses on making sure people can ask questions, and seeks to address barriers for parents wanting vaccinations for their children.
“Parents want to know, is this vaccine safe? That’s the primary one. Is it necessary — is this a disease that I actually need to be worried about? Is it important to prevent this disease? And is the vaccine effective?”
Through her work, MacDonald aims to provide clear and accessible answers to these questions to support parents in making informed decisions.
As COVID-19 vaccines were a new technology when they arrived, MacDonald said she understands why parents may have been vaccine hesitant.
“It’s very logical for you to have questions and concerns about a product that is new. And for a disease that is new,” MacDonald said.
“They’re being faced with a situation that they never anticipated. A vaccine that was new to the market.”
Evidence has since come out about the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, she said.
“[It] works pretty well. It has a good safety profile, and it prevents you from getting ill. We had evidence that we could say to parents, yes, it’s safe. Yes, it’s effective. Yes, it’s necessary,” MacDonald said.
“It’s ok to have questions about vaccination,” MacDonald says
Labeling people who have questions about vaccines makes them feel alienated and shuts down discussions, MacDonald said.
“It’s ok to have questions about vaccination,” MacDonald said. “I never label people who have questions as anti-vax … I don’t believe in labeling people that way.”
“The key thing is that it’s okay to have questions about vaccination, and to ask those questions of your health care provider. People need to ask their questions [to] the right people and seek their information from the right place.”
Additionally, she recommended websites such as Alberta Health Services (AHS) Immunization website, Immunize Canada, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Centre for vaccine information.
“The only way we’re going to ever support people in making or changing decisions is to keep the dialogue open,” MacDonald said.
