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Vaccines
Special Issues
Vaccine Hesitancy and Acceptance: A Public Health Perspective
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Vaccine Hesitancy and Acceptance: A Public Health Perspective

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Vaccines and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2025) | Viewed by 3261

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Neli Ragina

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Midland, MI, USA
Interests: health sciences; systematic reviews; infodemics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Michael J. Conway

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Medicine, Central Michigan University, Midland, MI, USA
Interests: infectious diseases; virology; microbiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Vaccination has been one of the most effective public health interventions, significantly reducing the burden of infectious diseases worldwide. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, nearly eliminated polio, and substantially lowered the incidence of measles, mumps, and rubella. Despite these successes, vaccine hesitancy remains a critical public health challenge. Vaccine hesitancy is a multifaceted issue influenced by factors such as misinformation, cultural beliefs, political ideologies, and individual experiences with healthcare systems. The rise of social media has further exacerbated the spread of vaccine misinformation, leading to increased skepticism toward vaccines. Understanding the causes of vaccine hesitancy and promoting strategies to improve vaccine acceptance are crucial for maintaining herd immunity and preventing the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Research in the area of vaccine hesitancy and acceptance is critical to developing effective interventions. Given the ongoing threat of emerging infectious diseases and global pandemics, addressing vaccine hesitancy is essential for individual and public health and a cornerstone of global health security.

This Special Issue will examine what drives vaccine hesitancy and what is essential for developing effective public health strategies related to vaccines, as well as evaluate vaccine hesitancy on public health outcomes such as vaccine-preventable diseases and lowered herd immunity. This issue will also address disparities in vaccine acceptance and assess the importance of communication in vaccine hesitancy. It will also explore approaches for improving vaccine acceptance. Its additional aims are identifying and promoting interventions that increase vaccine acceptance in the public health framework. Additionally, it will address vaccine uptake among marginalized populations and the importance of access to vaccines.

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Neli Ragina
Dr. Michael J. Conway
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • vaccine hesitancy
  • vaccine acceptance
  • public health
  • vaccine uptake
  • misinformation
  • risk perception
  • health communication
  • immunization rates
  • herd immunity
  • behavioral determinants
  • social determinants
  • trust in healthcare
  • vaccine misinformation
  • vaccine education
  • vaccine refusal
  • vaccine policy
  • health disparities

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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16 pages, 604 KB  
Article
Predictors of Willingness to Receive Monkeypox Vaccine in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Nuha El Sharif, Muna Ahmead and Munera Al Abed
Vaccines 2025, 13(12), 1205; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13121205 - 29 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objective: While no human monkeypox (MPXV) infections have been reported in Palestine, the rapid global increase in cases, including in neighboring countries, necessitates proactive public health preparedness. This study aimed to assess Palestinians’ willingness to receive MPXV vaccination and to identify associated [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: While no human monkeypox (MPXV) infections have been reported in Palestine, the rapid global increase in cases, including in neighboring countries, necessitates proactive public health preparedness. This study aimed to assess Palestinians’ willingness to receive MPXV vaccination and to identify associated predictors in the context of a potential outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in September 2024. The questionnaire gathered data on participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, risk perceptions, Vaccine Trust Indicator (VTI) scores, vaccination history, and willingness to receive an MPXV vaccine. Bivariate analyses were performed using Pearson’s chi-square test, and a multivariate logistic regression model was employed to identify the determinants of MPXV vaccination willingness. Results: The overall willingness to receive MPXV vaccination was low (28.8%). Key findings included significant public misconceptions and concerns: 33% of respondents believed that natural immunity from infection was sufficient, while 43% expressed concerns about potential adverse effects, similar to those associated with COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, nearly 60% of participants stated they would decline a free MPXV vaccine. Multivariate analysis revealed that prior COVID-19 vaccination (aOR = 3.07, p < 0.05), a moderate VTI score (aOR = 6.65, p < 0.05), and prior influenza vaccination (aOR = 4.00, p < 0.05) were significant predictors of MPXV vaccination willingness. Willingness to pay for the vaccine also positively influenced vaccination intent. One of the common misconceptions found was the belief that having received a smallpox vaccination prior reduces the need for an MPXV vaccination. Conclusions: The willingness to receive an MPXV vaccine in Palestine is suboptimal. Prior vaccination behaviors and general trust in vaccines are key determinants of acceptance. These findings underscore the critical need for public health strategies focused on strengthening trust in vaccine efficacy and safety, along with targeted health education to enhance community preparedness for a potential MPXV outbreak. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccine Hesitancy and Acceptance: A Public Health Perspective)
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21 pages, 1061 KB  
Systematic Review
The Relationship Between Postpartum Depression and Timely Child Vaccination: A Systematic Review
by Julien Robitaille, Kayla Esser, Catherine King, Julie Leask, Kerrie Wiley, Simone Vigod, Gary Rodin, Shelly Bolotin and Gilla K. Shapiro
Vaccines 2025, 13(3), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13030222 - 24 Feb 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objective: Vaccines administered during early childhood rely on caregivers being aware, willing, and able to vaccinate their child. Postpartum depression (PPD) could adversely affect a parent’s ability to undertake such preventive care. This systematic review sought to examine the relationship between PPD and [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Vaccines administered during early childhood rely on caregivers being aware, willing, and able to vaccinate their child. Postpartum depression (PPD) could adversely affect a parent’s ability to undertake such preventive care. This systematic review sought to examine the relationship between PPD and timely vaccination in children. Methods: We systematically searched eight databases (MEDLINE ALL, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, LILACS, Web of Science, Sociological Abstracts, and Scopus) from database inception to September 2023. We also reviewed reference lists of included studies. We included primary studies that examined the association between PPD and child vaccination status between birth and 24 months. Two researchers independently extracted data and assessed study quality. Results: In total, 5504 records were screened for eligibility. Of the 50 articles included in full-text assessment, 12 met the eligibility criteria. Most studies (83%) were conducted in high-income countries, with a minority (17%) from lower-middle income countries (LMICs). The sample size of studies varied from <500 (33%) to >450,000 participants (17%). Overall, six studies (50%) found a relationship between maternal PPD and child vaccinations not completed on time, and six (50%) found no relationship. In most studies that were assessed to be of high-quality and found a relationship, the magnitude of the absolute risk was small. Conclusions: We detected significant heterogeneity among the included studies. Further high-quality research using standardized definitions is needed to determine whether parents with PPD may require tailored strategies and supports that consider their symptoms and specific barriers to vaccination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccine Hesitancy and Acceptance: A Public Health Perspective)
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