Hesitations About the Mandatory Childhood Immunization Calendar and Their Relationship to Trust
Hesitations About the Mandatory Childhood Immunization Calendar and Their Relationship to Trust

Summary/Abstract: In this article, we examine the topic of trust in the parent-physician interaction in the specific case of mandatory childhood immunizations. Our analysis tracks the change in the interaction framework that the mandatory character of vaccination and the involvement of the child as a third party imposes. We recognize that a shift in the parental role to that of an informed and responsibilized decision-maker affects the interaction and blocks some of the possibilities for establishing trust. Key findings regarding distrust are derived from vaccine refusers who indicate more aspects of distrust in their accounts of the vaccination practices. Still, common concerns shared by other parents are pointed out – ones regarding the child as a specific, unique individual and the role of different interests in the physicians’ decision-making process.

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