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Cited by 98Vaccine Coverage and HesitancyVirology and Viral DiseasesIntramuscular injections and effects

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Resurgence of Measles in Europe: A Systematic Review on Parental Attitudes and Beliefs of Measles Vaccine

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Wilder-Smith, Annika B., Qureshi, Kaveri·2019·Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
DOI 10.2991/jegh.k.191117.001PMC PMC7310814
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Europe has experienced a major resurgence of measles in recent years, despite the availability and free access to a safe, effective, and affordable vaccination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). The main driver for this is suboptimal vaccine coverage. The three objectives of this study are to synthesize and critically assess parental attitudes and beliefs toward MMR uptake, to develop strategies and policy recommendations to effectively improve MMR vaccine uptake accordingly, and ultimately to identify areas for further research. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using primary studies from PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus published between 2011 and April 2019. Inclusion criteria comprised primary studies in English conducted in Europe and studying parental attitudes and behavior regarding MMR uptake. Data were extracted using an inductive grounded theory approach. RESULTS: In all, 20 high-quality studies were identified. Vaccine hesitancy or refusal were mainly due to concerns about vaccine safety, effectiveness, perception of measles risk and burden, mistrust in experts, and accessibility. Factors for MMR uptake included a sense of responsibility toward child and community health, peer judgement, trust in experts and vaccine, and measles severity. Anthroposophical and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveler populations presented unique barriers such as accessibility. CONCLUSION: A multi-interventional, evidence-based approach is vital to improve confidence, competence, and convenience of measles vaccination uptake. Healthcare professionals need an understanding of individual contextual attitudes and barriers to MMR uptake to tailor effective communication. Effective surveillance is needed to identify under-vaccinated populations for vaccination outreach programs to improve accessibility and uptake.

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References 43 · Cited by 98

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Metadata

Authors
Wilder-Smith, A. B., & Qureshi, K.
Affiliations
University of Edinburgh (GB)
Corresponding author
Wilder-Smith, Annika B.
ORCID
Qureshi, Kaveri
Venue
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2019
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
46
ISSN
  • 2210-6006 (ISSN-L)
  • 2210-6014
DOI
10.2991/jegh.k.191117.001
PMC
PMC7310814
OpenAlex
W2998356819
Cited by
98
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1
FWCI
2.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Virology and Viral Diseases
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Intramuscular injections and effects
Keywords
measles resurgence, MMR vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, parental attitudes, vaccine safety concerns, vaccine access, anthroposophic medicine, travel medicine, trust in experts, vaccination outreach, Europe
MeSH terms
Europe, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Measles, Measles Vaccine, Parents, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Vaccination, Qualitative Research

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Resurgence of Measles in Europe: A Systematic Review on Parental Attitudes and Beliefs of Measles Vaccine. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.2991/jegh.k.191117.001
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Wilder-Smith, A. B., & Qureshi, K. (2019). Resurgence of Measles in Europe: A Systematic Review on Parental Attitudes and Beliefs of Measles Vaccine. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health. https://doi.org/10.2991/jegh.k.191117.001

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