The correct answer is: Vaccine hesitancy.
Vaccine hesitancy is the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of safe and effective vaccines. It is a complex phenomenon that can be influenced by a number of factors, including personal beliefs, social norms, and the media.
In Maharashtra, vaccine hesitancy is a major challenge to immunization coverage. A 2018 study found that only 60% of children in the state had received all the recommended vaccinations. This is significantly lower than the national average of 76%.
There are a number of reasons for vaccine hesitancy in Maharashtra. One reason is that many people in the state are not aware of the importance of vaccination. They may not understand how vaccines work or the risks of not being vaccinated.
Another reason for vaccine hesitancy is that some people have concerns about the safety of vaccines. They may have heard stories about adverse reactions to vaccines or they may believe that vaccines cause autism.
Finally, some people may be hesitant to vaccinate their children because of social pressure. They may worry that their children will be teased or ostracized if they are not vaccinated.
Vaccine hesitancy is a serious problem that can have a significant impact on public health. It is important to address the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in order to improve immunization coverage in Maharashtra.
Here are some of the ways to address vaccine hesitancy:
- Increase awareness of the importance of vaccination. People need to understand how vaccines work and the risks of not being vaccinated.
- Address concerns about the safety of vaccines. People need to be reassured that vaccines are safe and effective.
- Reduce social pressure against vaccination. People should not be afraid to vaccinate their children because of social pressure.
- Provide access to quality healthcare. People need to have access to quality healthcare providers who can answer their questions about vaccination.
- Build trust between healthcare providers and the public. People need to trust their healthcare providers and believe that they have their best interests at heart.
By addressing these issues, we can help to improve immunization coverage in Maharashtra and protect the health of all children.