Vaccination is considered one of humanity’s most transformative medical breakthroughs, with its origins tracing back to Edward Jenner’s groundbreaking smallpox vaccine in the late 18th century. Though early skepticism of vaccines was formidable, rigorous scientific investigation and countless documented successes established vaccination as a cornerstone of modern medicine. For generations, vaccination was considered one of the surest ways to prevent death and suffering from infectious diseases, fundamentally reshaping global public health outcomes. However, advances in social networking and the influence of an anti-vaccination movement have reignited vaccine hesitancy on a scale not seen since the pre-modern era. Empowering healthcare providers with the skills to engage in meaningful dialogue with patients and the community about vaccines is paramount to addressing vaccine hesitancy and rebuilding public trust in vaccination programs.

vaccine refusal
anti-vaccination
vaccine acceptance
vaccine mistrust
vaccine hesitancy
immunization
vaccine safety
medical education
vaccines
vaccination
medical misinformation
health professions education

• Introduction to Vaccine Hesitancy
• History and Context of Vaccination
• Understanding Vaccine Hesitancy: Definitions and Concepts
• Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy
• Psychological and Social Determinants
• Cultural and Religious Influences
• Communication Strategies to Address Hesitancy
• Role of Healthcare Providers
• Community Engagement and Outreach
• Addressing Misinformation and Myths
• Policy and Ethical Considerations
• Designing Interventions to Improve Vaccine Acceptance
• Monitoring and Evaluating Vaccine Hesitancy Programs
• Case Studies and Best Practices
• Future Directions in Vaccine Hesitancy Research and Practice

Department of Medical Education, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
Amanda J. Chase, Michelle L. Demory

Department of Internal Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA
Marc M. Kesselman

Book Title
Vaccine Hesitancy Curriculum

Book Subtitle
A Guide for Health Professions Educators

Editors
Amanda J. Chase, Michelle L. Demory, Marc M. Kesselman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-88668-3

eBook Packages
Medicine, Medicine (R0)

Copyright Information
The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025

Hardcover ISBN
978-3-031-88667-6
Published: 17 June 2025

Softcover ISBN
978-3-031-88670-6
Due: 01 July 2026

eBook ISBN
978-3-031-88668-3
Published: 16 June 2025

Edition Number
1

Number of Pages
VIII, 186

Topics
Medicine/Public Health, general, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Public Health, Chemistry/Food Science, general, Biotechnology, Biomaterials