Stony Brook Doctors Combat Vaccine Misinformation Among Parents

Amid a nationwide surge in vaccine hesitancy, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital has experienced a troubling 30 percent decline in overall vaccination rates, affecting both routine pediatric immunizations and newborn preventive care. The decline spans critical vaccines including MMR, RSV, flu, vitamin K, and hepatitis B.

In response, Stony Brook medical professionals are working to address parents’ concerns while maintaining their commitment to children’s health. They’ve launched a comprehensive online resource providing evidence-based information about childhood vaccines.

“Vaccine hesitancy has been around for a long time. In fact, it’s been around since the time of Ben Franklin and the smallpox vaccine,” noted Dr. Susan Walker, clinical associate professor of Pediatrics at Stony Brook Medicine.

The initiative is led by cardiologist Dr. Laurie Panesar, vice chair for ambulatory operations, who has assembled a team of primary care physicians and infectious disease specialists. Their newly created website offers articles explaining vaccine importance, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommended immunization schedule, and answers to frequently asked questions.

“With this initiative, we aim to provide patients and families with clear, evidence-based information and trusted resources to help them make informed decisions about their health and the health of their children,” explained Dr. Panesar. “In an era of overwhelming and often conflicting information, we encourage families to ask questions and place trust in their pediatrician who is committed by oath to keeping children safe and healthy.”

Healthcare professionals at Stony Brook recognize that building trust is essential when addressing vaccine concerns. Dr. Walker emphasizes finding common ground with parents by acknowledging their shared goal of wanting what’s best for the child.

“The challenge becomes helping the parents make the best decision for their child, and arming them with the medical knowledge that we have about the importance of vaccines,” she said.

Dr. Andrew Handel, clinical associate professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, points to information silos as a major contributor to the problem. He notes how media echo chambers can distort public health messaging, citing recent CDC guideline updates as an example.

“The truth is none of the changes that have taken place actually change which vaccines are available for children,” Dr. Handel clarified. “The updated CDC recommendations simply suggest we use a shared clinical decision-making approach, targeting vaccination efforts towards higher-risk children, and suggests those at lower risk may not need those vaccines.”

He stressed that despite these nuanced changes, many families receive the oversimplified message that vaccines aren’t recommended at all, when the scientific data continues to support their safety and efficacy.

Research has shown that addressing vaccine hesitancy requires more than just presenting scientific evidence. Dr. Walker notes that vaccine decisions often stem from emotional rather than rational thinking, with parents fundamentally concerned about protecting their children from harm.

Her approach includes sharing personal experience: “I have three fully grown children, all of whom were fully vaccinated, and I would do it again. And when my children have children, I feel that it’s important that they be vaccinated. I tell them I would never recommend for their child what I would not recommend for my own.”

Both physicians emphasize that one-on-one discussions between parents and pediatricians remain the most effective way to address vaccine concerns. These conversations allow healthcare providers to answer specific questions and explain why they believe so strongly in the importance of immunization.

The physicians acknowledge the challenges they face. Sometimes the best approach is simply remaining available to answer questions when parents are ready to discuss them, even if immediate agreement isn’t reached.

“The plea to parents is that we pediatricians want what’s best for your child, and we spend a lot of time learning,” Dr. Walker concluded. “We’re asking for your trust. What we recommend for your child is what we would do for our own.”