Child vaccination hesitancy has led to a significant decrease in vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, mumps, rubella and others. However, some parents may have concerns about the safety, effectiveness and necessity of vaccines. The pediatric infectious disease specialists with Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases, affiliated with the UofL School of Medicine, can help parents experiencing vaccine hesitancy.

What Is Child Vaccination Hesitancy?

Vaccine hesitancy is when parents may have a lack of trust in the medical community; concerns about the safety, effectiveness and necessity of vaccines; or other issues related to vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy can contribute to children being undervaccinated or not vaccinated due to parents’ decisions to delay or refuse vaccines for their children.

Choosing not to vaccinate a child has risks for the child as well as people that come into contact with the child. As more parents choose not to vaccinate their children, it reduces “herd immunity,” a safe vaccination rate that can help lower the spread of infectious diseases within a community.

The pediatric infectious disease specialists with Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases can work with families who are concerned about vaccinations. Our providers are up to date on the latest information about vaccine safety and best practices, and can give evidence-based information and recommendations on concerns families may have.

Why Choose Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases?

• Norton Children’s Infectious Diseases specializes in the care of children from birth through adolescence.
• With seven infectious diseases specialists and one nurse practitioner on staff, your child can be seen quickly, especially for urgent needs.
• Members of our team are nationally recognized and have held or serve in leadership positions related to infectious diseases.
• Our provider team is leading Norton Children’s Hospital and Norton Children’s Medical Group in COVID-19 efforts, helping streamline infection prevention and providing patient care during the pandemic.
• Our team provides inpatient consultation services at Norton Children’s Hospital and Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, as well as telemedicine services throughout Kentucky. Our physicians also treat patients at UofL Hospital.
• Keep up with your child’s lab results, communicate with your provider and schedule appointments through MyNortonChart.