Education in vaccination safety

At the next stages of the project: "Education of doctors in the field of vaccination of children with autism spectrum disorders" conducted by the Department of Paediatrics with the Observation Ward of the Medical University of Warsaw (lectures and workshops) as part of the Independent Medical Education, we encountered great interest and a request for follow-up, and for supplementing it with training on vaccine safety. Taking into account the interest in the subject, a clear educational gap in the field of vaccination qualifications, their effectiveness and communication about vaccinations among health service representatives, we would like to extend the project and expand it with additional educational subjects. Currently, the risks associated with vaccination in groups of chronic pediatric patients, their possible side effects, as well as the possibility of vaccination with a non-standard calendar are being discussed more and more often. Additionally, a necessary supplementary element to the vaccination of children is the issue of vaccinating pregnant women. Concerns arising from immunological exposure during vaccination determine negative attitudes towards vaccination and the risk of increasing the incidence of diseases which have so far been eliminated in many countries.

Growing parental anxiety over vaccinations poses educational challenges for healthcare professionals regarding vaccination safety and effectiveness, and vaccination communication. We would like to organize an event aimed at disseminating reliable knowledge about vaccinations. Based on evidence, doctors remain the primary trusted source of information for parents about immunization. Based on our previous experience, the following areas have been designated requiring educational activities aimed at doctors, nurses and medical students:

• knowledge about the importance and safety of vaccination and reactions to vaccination,

• knowledge about the importance of vaccination in pregnant women,

• knowledge about the use of delayed or individual vaccination calendars,

• knowledge of the epidemiology of infectious diseases and the dangers of not vaccinating children

• communication skills among doctors about vaccination.

Raising awareness and expanding the knowledge of medical personnel (doctors, nurses and medical students) regarding the mechanism of action and safety of vaccinations: stimulation of the immune response, vaccine adjuvants, adverse vaccine reactions;

• Expanding knowledge in the field of epidemiology of infectious diseases - changes and threats in the context of reducing the rate of vaccination in various European countries;

• Education in establishing individual and delayed vaccination calendars;

• Education in the field of immunization of pregnant women;

• Education in the field of communication techniques on vaccination in the context of concerns of parents of selected groups of pediatric patients towards vaccination.

By conducting lectures at conferences and workshops, it will be possible to increase the knowledge of doctors in the field of vaccination and communication techniques when talking to patients about vaccinations.

For better implementation of tasks and to allow the achievement of educational goals, educational material will be developed, available to participants of the lectures.