Vaccine safety: risk communication - a global perspective

The complexity of risks connected with both vaccine-preventable diseases as well as with immunization will be discussed and used as the basis for conc lusions: what should be done to avoid damage to current and future immunization prog rams and how to improve risk communication. The need for more complete data on true, perceived and unknown immunization risks necessitates strengthening our research capabilities as well as surv eillance and vaccine safety programs, and to critically examine the factors influencing public sentiments, taking into account that public perceptions of risk vary depending on the characteristics of risk. A concerted effort is needed to improve benefit and risk communication at all levels. The medi cal community should play a key role for improved communication. (C) 2001 E lsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.