Vaccines have led to a significant decrease in rates of vaccine-preventable diseases and have made a significant impact on the health of children. However, some parents express concerns about vaccine ...safety and the necessity of vaccines. The concerns of parents range from hesitancy about some immunizations to refusal of all vaccines. This clinical report provides information about the scope and impact of the problem, the facts surrounding common vaccination concerns, and the latest evidence regarding effective communication techniques for the vaccine conversation. After reading this clinical report, readers can expect to: Understand concepts and underlying determinants of vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy.Understand the relationship between vaccine hesitancy and costs of preventable medical care.Recognize and address specific concerns (eg, vaccine safety) with caregivers when hesitancy is present.
Organizations such as the Peace Corps repatriated all of their >3,000 volunteers across the globe for an unprecedented temporary suspension of activities.15 The heightened global travel restrictions ...required quick and decisive action to bring trainees back to their home countries, in some cases revealing vulnerabilities in emergency planning for GH electives. Many LMIC partner sites experienced sudden blows to their workforce with the rapid exodus of HIC partners. ...LMIC partners were sometimes burdened with the task of supporting HIC trainee repatriation logistics at a time when their own institutions were stressed with emergency preparedness. While the final toll of the pandemic has yet to be determined, the indirect effects on preventable diseases, malnutrition, chronic care access, mental health, and adverse economic impacts will have reverberating and longstanding impacts on GH.19 There are many compelling reasons for HIC-based academic programs to eventually resume site-based, in-person GH electives for trainees: (1) there is a high and sustained trainee demand for GH training;9'12'13 (2) GH electives offer transformative experiences that encourage and empower trainees to address health inequities and disparities in their careers;20-23 (3) the existence of institutional GH partnerships improves both trainee and faculty recruitment;24 and (4) for institutions that value equity, global engagement is often a priority. ...health professionals with training in GH may leverage their experiences to prepare for and respond to future pandemics and emerging diseases; to recognize and attend to inequities; and to safeguard and advocate for disadvantaged populations. The pause in travel also offers programs an opportunity to reevaluate and recalibrate GH partnerships to address communication, power dynamics, and partnership priorities that more equitably center the needs and priorities of LMIC partners.25 There are opportunities to enhance shared leadership and goal-setting,26 promote bidirectional exchange of trainees and medical staff,27 and incorporate decolonization efforts.8 Sustaining GH Partnerships and Education during the Pandemic and Beyond Continued Partnership and Communication While some HIC-based academic institutions did maintain the physical presence of staff and faculty at LMIC partner sites throughout the pandemic, most shifted to virtual activities and support.
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