REPORT OF THE SAGE WORKING GROUP ON VACCINE HESITANCY

At the November 2011 meeting of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, SAGE noted with concern the impact of reluctance to accept immunization on the uptake of vaccines reported from both developed and developing countries. These reports led SAGE to request the
establishment of a working group on vaccine hesitancy.

Vaccine hesitancy refers to delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services. Vaccine hesitancy is complex and context specific varying across time, place and vaccines. It includes factors such as complacency, convenience and confidence. (WHO SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Working Group report)