Dissertation
Combating vaccine hesitancy: Tailored approaches for improving childhood immunization
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Background: Childhood immunizations are one of the most effective public health interventions, yet vaccine hesitancy remains a significant barrier for vaccine compliance. There is a concerning decline in childhood vaccine coverage at the national and state-levels, with increasing rates of vaccine exemptions. In a Midwest clinic, approximately 70% of children were partially vaccinated or not vaccinated, placing both the individual and the community at risk for vaccine preventable diseases.Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to combat childhood vaccine hesitancy by understanding the attitudes, beliefs, and barriers influencing vaccine hesitancy among parents and guardians of patients aged 17 years or younger.Methods: Utilizing the Vaccine Acceptance Instrument, this project surveyed parents of children aged 17 years or younger to identify specific concerns across five dimensions of vaccine hesitancy. Educational materials and motivational interviewing were tailored to specific identified concerns. Findings: A total of 100 individual surveys were completed; 50 pre- and 50 post-intervention. Despite 94% engagement with educational materials and 100% engagement with motivational interviewing, there was no statistically significant difference in overall vaccine acceptance scores or in vaccination rates. However, slight increases in partial vaccination and full vaccination and slight reductions in not vaccinated individuals were observed.Discussion: Although the intervention did not result in statistically significant changes in vaccine acceptance scores or vaccination rates, the high feasibility and participant engagement suggests that targeted educational materials and motivational interviewing were both well-received and well-implemented. Building trust and understanding between provider and families fosters better vaccine knowledge and compliance. Strong rapport and collaboration serve as important first steps toward long-term vaccine attitude and behavior change. Further work with larger, more diverse samples and refined implementation strategies is warranted. This project highlights the potential impact of proactive, personalized interventions in addressing vaccine hesitancy and promoting public health.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Combating vaccine hesitancy: Tailored approaches for improving childhood immunization
- Creators
- Emily Schlueter - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Ann Weltin (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Emily Schlueter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841528702771
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