Expert Discusses Vaccine Hesitancy, Vaccine Myths | APhA 2025
Lauren Angelo, PharmD, associate dean for academic affairs at Rosalind Franklin University, explains common misconceptions and myths about vaccines.
Lauren Angelo, PharmD, associate dean for academic affairs at Rosalind Franklin University, discusses vaccine hesitancy, myths, and the critical challenges in health care communication and access. Angelo highlights persistent misconceptions about vaccine safety, including the debunked link between the MMR vaccine and autism and ongoing misinformation surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. These myths are particularly dangerous, as they can discourage vaccination and expose individuals to serious health risks, exemplified by the severe 2023 flu season that resulted in over 150 child deaths.
Further, she highlights the impact of structural racism and systemic barriers in health care. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed stark disparities in health care access and outcomes for racial and ethnic minority groups. These challenges stem from long-standing issues like redlining, pharmacy closures, transportation difficulties, and limited healthcare insurance. The resulting distrust in the health care system creates substantial obstacles to vaccine uptake and overall health engagement.
To address these challenges, she proposes several strategic approaches. Community health workers emerge as a promising solution, capable of bridging communication gaps and building trust within underserved communities. Their effectiveness was particularly evident during the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The key to improving vaccine acceptance lies in developing patient-friendly messaging, moving beyond healthcare provider-centric communication, and engaging in collaborative conversations.
The recommended strategy involves actively listening to patients, understanding their specific concerns, and working together to make informed health care decisions. Rather than dictating recommendations, health care providers should create an environment of mutual respect and teamwork. This approach is most effective with patients who are uncertain about vaccination, as opposed to those firmly opposed.
Ultimately, Angelo emphasizes the need for continuous research, evaluation of communication strategies, and a commitment to developing more accessible, empathetic health care communication. By prioritizing trust-building, community engagement, and patient-centered approaches, health care providers can more effectively combat vaccine hesitancy and improve public health outcomes.
"I think as we continue to have these conversations, it's important to take a step back, see what's working and what's not working, and how do we change that?" Angelo said. "I think if we're going to see a difference in hesitancy and improve vaccine uptake, something does need to change, and having more patient-friendly messaging and marketing materials is probably one of the first steps that we need to make sure we take."
