A new poll shows shifting views on the safety of childhood vaccines.
The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health asked parents how their views have changed during the past year.
Poll director Matt Davis says a third of parents say they believe vaccines are safer and more effective than they thought a year ago. A smaller percentage have more doubts.
“Parents in my practice continue to have questions about vaccines,” says Davis. “We need to address parents’ concerns in a straight forward way and make sure we’re answering their questions as best as possible.”
Davis credits news media coverage of measles and whooping cough for swaying parents’ opinions during the past year.
Last week, California’s governor signed legislation to remove exemptions from required childhood vaccinations.
