Meeting the challenge of vaccine hesitancy

According to the World Health Organization¹, global vaccination coverage has declined for several key vaccines in recent years, while Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows U.S. childhood vaccination rates have fallen to the 92% range². Even small decreases may contribute to reduced herd immunity and an increased risk of disease resurgence.

It’s important to distinguish between vaccine hesitancy — reluctance or delay in vaccination despite availability — and antivaccine sentiment, which reflects opposition. The majority of patients fall into the first group, which creates an opportunity for providers to build trust, address questions and help increase vaccination uptake. Certain vaccines face higher levels of hesitancy than others – including HPV, COVID-19 and RSV – and concerns often stem from safety questions, misinformation or a lack of confidence in healthcare systems.

Key statistics to support vaccine confidence

Evidence and data help providers address uncertainty and build confidence:

• Vaccination coverage: CDC reports that kindergarten vaccination rates for essential vaccines hover around 92–93%, slightly below the 95% target for herd protection³.
• Patient concerns: Surveys consistently identify safety and potential side effects as the top reasons for hesitation.
• Vaccine impact: Clinical data shows vaccines help reduce severe illness, hospitalization and mortality. COVID-19 vaccines, for example, cut hospitalization risk by more than 90% during early waves⁴.
• Misinformation exposure: Studies suggest that up to 20% of adults encounter vaccine myths on social media, highlighting the need for proactive provider outreach.^{5 6}

Navigating the complex landscape of vaccine resistance

Hesitancy is influenced by a mix of myths, mistrust and access challenges. Overcoming these barriers requires thoughtful communication, reliable operations and community engagement.

McKesson Medical-Surgical collaborates with providers to support vaccination programs across age groups through products, technology and education:

• Telehealth integration: Virtual visits paired with e-prescriptions and scheduled delivery may help expand access for patients who are reluctant to visit in person.
• AccuVax® by TruMed: Provides secure, biometric access, electronic health record (EHR) integration, expiry alerts and inventory reporting to help reduce waste and support efficiency.
• FluWise®: Offers pre-booking, next-day shipping and ancillary supply kits to simplify flu program preparation.
• Cold-chain support: Reliable storage and transport solutions help maintain vaccine integrity, which can help support patient confidence.
• Data and analytics tools: Dashboards highlight vaccine uptake trends and outreach opportunities.
• Provider training: Educational webinars, such as McKesson’s Advancements in Vaccine Management and Safety, give clinicians strategies for addressing hesitancy.

Working together against hesitancy

Providers work to build patient trust, help to improve vaccination coverage and support healthier communities. They play a crucial role in helping patients make informed decisions and supporting higher vaccination coverage through the following:

• Educate patients with approachable, evidence-based materials.
• Automate inventory and pre-book vaccines.
• Engage communities proactively, including seasonal campaigns.
• Track program performance using analytics dashboards.

Connect with a McKesson Medical-Surgical representative to learn more about tools and resources that may support your vaccination programs, including seasonal flu engagement toolkits.