The Assessment of Immunization Infrastructures and Vaccine Opposing Movement in Japan, Norway, and The United States of America

Abstract

A wide range of social, economic, and political characteristics feed vaccine hesitancy. As the success of a vaccination program falls on the collective achievement of herd immunity, vaccine opposition poses a threat to society and its health. This study uses Japan, Norway, and The United States as case studies to identify both the important infrastructural elements of a successful program and the characteristic which develop, or inhibit, a robust and influential anti-vaccination movement. The research has identified five characteristics which influence vaccine opposition: history, ideology, organizational capacity, religion, and social organization. The researchers shows that trust and accessibility are of the utmost importance. Trust in vaccine production, as well as, the government’s ability to protect its citizens fuels vaccine confidence. While distrust aids in the mobilization of the opposition. Though mandates are powerful coercive mechanism to achieve higher levels of immunizations, they are not the only factor. The social organization and politics revolving around care and science also play a great deal in promoting or breaking down trust. The research, however, also hypothesizes that the organizational capabilities—or the ability to formalize— of an anti-vaccination movement is strengthened with the existence of a mandate, as there is a cause to fight against. Though the research is tailored towards identifying potential US policy interventions, the characteristics identified alongside the theoretical analysis may be extended to other nations.