[Comment] Vaccine hesitancy: an evolving challenge

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Source: The Lancet

Original: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)02601-7/fullt...

Published: 2026-01-12T23:30:02Z

Vaccination hesitancy is a psychological state of indecision that people experience when deciding on vaccination[1]. In 2015, the World Health Organization defined it as a delay in receiving or refusing vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services[1]. Recently, this concept has been redefined to distinguish the indecision itself from the final behavior – that is, from the person's actual decision to accept or refuse the vaccine[1]. Hesitancy is a complex and specific phenomenon that varies depending on time, place and type of vaccine[1]. According to the WHO SAGE working group, vaccination hesitancy is influenced by a model consisting of three key elements[1]. Although hesitancy is not the only barrier to vaccination uptake, it is a significant factor for some patients[1]. The solution is shared decision-making between families and health professionals[1].