See if you recall the answers to these questions from 2019 “News and Views” articles in the Vaccine Update newsletter. Then read about the related takeaways from the last year.

1. When addressing vaccine hesitancy which may help?

  1. Describing what unvaccinated individuals need to know in case they are infected
  2. Describing the techniques being used to misinform the public about a particular issue
  3. Providing accurate sources for obtaining vaccine information
  4. Addressing inaccurate information
  5. All of these

2. Who do people trust the most when it comes to getting medical advice?

  1. Family and friends
  2. Social media networks
  3. Healthcare providers
  4. Internet sources

3. Why is a responsive website important for healthcare practices?

  1. Having a chat feature allows people to get information from you more often.
  2. People are increasingly using mobile devices to access online information.
  3. Creating a fresh website regularly keeps interest high.

4. During which trimester of pregnancy can B and T cells be found in the intestine?

  1. First trimester
  2. Second trimester
  3. Third trimester

5. What should parents consider related to measles vaccine?

  1. Measles causes immune suppression.
  2. Measles is extremely contagious.
  3. It takes a few weeks for antibodies to develop following vaccination.
  4. All of these.

Takeaway 1: We have learned more about how to effectively address vaccine hesitancy.

Correcting inaccurate information, discussing techniques used to mislead, and providing trusted sources of information can all help address vaccine hesitancy. Anecdotally, we also heard from Margaret Stager, MD, Director of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at MetroHealth in Ohio, about an experience she had preparing an unvaccinated child for boarding school by describing what the child would need to know and when to contact a healthcare provider.

Find out more in these “News and Views” articles:

The answer to question 1 was “E. All of these.”

Takeaway 2: People trust their healthcare providers.

About three-quarters of people reported doctors and nurses as their most trusted source for medical or health information, according to a survey published by Wellcome Global Monitor in 2019.

The August 2019 “News and Views” article, “What Do People around the World Think about Science, Health, Trust and Vaccines?,” described the findings of this global survey.

The answer to question 2 was “C. Healthcare providers.”

Takeaway 3: The increasing reliance on mobile devices means greater expectations for convenience and access to services from these devices, including health information and even healthcare.

With more than 4 billion mobile devices in use during 2018, people are increasingly accessing information on devices of different sizes.

The November 2019 “News and Views” article highlighted six ways that healthcare practices can increase satisfaction and engagement with patients and families.

The answer to question 3 was “B. People are increasingly using mobile devices to access online information.” Responsive websites are designed to easily be viewed on screens of different sizes.

Takeaway 4: Parents want to keep their children safe before and after birth.

To keep their children safe, many parents monitor their baby’s development during pregnancy and after birth. Some also have questions about the safety of vaccines and other products to which babies are exposed. Resources that provide background or related information can help allay fears and increase contextual understanding. For example, learning about the development of the immune system may help with questions about too many vaccines too soon.

In the spring of 2019, a new website section about the immune system was added to the VEC site. The above fact about B and T cells can be found on the page titled, “Development of the Immune System.”

A description of the new section was featured in the April 2019 issue.

The answer to question 4 was “B. Second trimester.” Many parents might be surprised to know that B and T cells can be found in the intestine around week 16 of gestation.

Takeaway 5: When vaccine use decreases, vaccine-preventable diseases return.

Measles outbreaks grabbed the headlines during 2019. As a result of these outbreaks, and coupled with fears related to vaccine safety, conversations about measles were common.

The Vaccine Update featured two “News and Views” articles about measles in 2019:

The answer to question 5 was “D. All of these.” Parents should know that measles infections cause immune suppression, the virus is extremely contagious, and it takes a few weeks to develop antibodies following vaccination.

Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.

You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.