Page 46 - Preventing pertussis in early infancy - Visser

Chapter 3
respondents suggested that their felt urge to make an informed and deliberate choice changed over time. They mentioned that in the past they just accepted vaccination without much consideration, but now they considered it important to be better informed. Most respondents indicated that upon deciding, they usually first try to assess the value of the information based on its source, frequency, consistency and scientific base. Although respondents generally expressed appreciation of the information provided about vaccination by the Regional Public Health Service (GGD) and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), we encountered two issues that seem to contribute to this difficulty.
Table 2. Examples of the difficulties experienced with information from focus group meetings and interviews with parents, maternity assistants, midwives and paediatric nurses.
Interview 1, paediatric nurses
I find it important to look critically (..) and to not blindly say ‘OK, yes I’ll do it’. The goal, I think everyone agrees with that. If there’s as little transmission of whatever diseases as is possible, I think that everyone wants that. Yes, there is a reason I work as a nurse in health care, so yes, but I think especially because of risks afterwards. It has to do with that. Around me I hear, and myself too, that that’s the reason why I look at it more critically.
Focus group 1, maternity assistants
You know, the ones who are in favour, write positive things. And those who are against, it is just the opposite. You can read it, but you have to assess it yourself. Where do I fit? (..)
Focus group 3, pregnant women
I think it is about trust; that I would like to have more information and that I could take it into account. At the time (with the pandemic Influenza H1N1 in 2009, OV) I thought, well okay, if the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, OV) says so, it should be true. And now I should feel it more for myself, or something.
Focus group 1, maternity assistants
Yes, GGD (Regional Public Health service, OV), I would certainly look at that. Although they are usually positive about vaccination, otherwise it wouldn’t be done, of course. But there are all considerations. You read a lot, and what decision should you take?
It is sometimes so difficult. You don’t see the forest for the trees.
Focus group 4, parents
Yes, and there is in the Netherlands an association Critical Vaccination which has a decent website.(..) They also present all kind of facts, including scientific arguments, and they say something completely different (than the RIVM, OV), very annoying.
What did you think of that?
I thought it especially annoying that both websites show scientific underpinnings of their views. Churchill said ‘I don’t believe in research’. But research is useful and I would like to have everything on an objective site. For one is pro and the other contra.
How do you find a solution?
I don’t.
But how do you decide?
Ah, flip a coin. (laughing)
Interview 3, paediatric nurses
I try to assemble as much information as I can for myself (..)
So that you can decide.
Yes.
Is it all trustworthy what you read? How do you estimate that?
Eh, no, undoubtedly everyone looks at it from his own perspective so you read that one says it is harmful, and the other says ‘no it is not’, and that will always stay. So you have to try to read between the lines and try to gather as much information as possible and base your own opinion on it.
First, some respondents mentioned they found the information from the GGD and the RIVM too limited: it did not answer all their questions on the subject. Second, other
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