Social media, vaccine hesitancy and trust deficit in immunization programs: a qualitative enquiry in Malappuram District of Kerala, India

This qualitative study used interviews with parents, caregivers, physicians and other members of the Kerala community to understand the local factors perpetuating vaccine hesitancy. The researchers found that the trust deficit between parents/caregivers and healthcare providers is created by multiple factors, such as providers’ lack of technical knowledge, existing patriarchal societal norms and critical views of vaccine by naturopaths and homeopaths. A long-term, multipronged strategy should be adopted to address the trust deficit, and this article recommends interventions to decision-makers.