Vaccine Hesitancy Curriculum : A Guide for Health Professions Educators

Vaccination is considered one of humanity’s most transformative medical breakthroughs, with its origins tracing back to Edward Jenner’s groundbreaking smallpox vaccine in the late 18th century. Though early skepticism of vaccines was formidable, rigorous scientific investigation and countless documented successes established vaccination as a cornerstone of modern medicine. For generations, vaccination was considered one of the surest ways to prevent death and suffering from infectious diseases, fundamentally reshaping global public health outcomes. However, advances in social networking and the influence of an anti-vaccination movement have reignited vaccine hesitancy on a scale not seen since the pre-modern era. Empowering healthcare providers with the skills to engage in meaningful dialogue with patients and the community about vaccines is paramount to addressing vaccine hesitancy and rebuilding public trust in vaccination programs.

This comprehensive book first lays a foundation for understanding vaccine hesitancy by exploring the historical sources of mistrust in vaccines and science. Subsequent chapters highlight evidence-based approaches to cultivate communication skills and foster meaningful dialogue in patient interactions, while emphasizing empathetic practice and self-reflection in health professions trainees. Beyond theoretical foundations, it provides practical tools and strategies for addressing the most challenging aspects of vaccine communication. When these communication principles are thoughtfully applied in clinical settings, they become powerful tools for combating misinformation, dismantling deeply held misconceptions, and nurturing patient trust.

Dr. Amanda Chase is an Associate Professor of Medical Education with Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine where she contributes to global course design and case writing for an integrated, case-based learning curriculum. She earned her Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed postdoctoral research on viral immunology at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Chase has twelve years of experience as a medical educator and has collaborated with teams of educators to build innovative curriculum and assessment models for two new medical schools. Throughout her career, Dr. Chase has created novel interventions to promote learner success in early medical education. Her educational research focuses on enhancing strategic learning through the integration and assessment of communication skills, with a particular focus on role-play to increase learner proficiency with the foundational and applied sciences. Dr. Chase is actively involved in educator mentoring and committee tasks through the International Association of Medical Science Educators.

Michelle L. Demory, PhD is the Assistant Dean for Pre-Clerkship Curriculum and an Associate Professor at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University. She earned her B.A. in Biochemistry and Economics from Smith College, her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Virginia, and completed three postdoctoral fellowships. Since joining NSU, Dr. Demory has played a key role in shaping educational programs, including developing and overseeing the NSU MD curriculum, designing and directing the Master of Biomedical Sciences program, as well as serving as a course director and instructor for a variety of health professions courses. She is committed to integrating evidence-based practices into curricula, with a particular emphasis on problem-based and active learning. Dr. Demory’s academic contributions are complemented by her significant research endeavors, leadership roles in professional organizations, involvement in various committees, and ongoing advocacy for the advancement of medical education, which has earned her several accolades.

Dr. Marc M. Kesselman is a board-certified rheumatologist, serving as the Chief of the Division of Rheumatology and Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is also the Course Director for the Rheumatology Course for second-year medical students. In addition to his teaching role, Dr. Kesselman contributes to multiple departments within the NSU Health Professions Division, including Cardiology, Nutrition, and AHEC. He also directs and practices at the NSU-KPCOM Rheumatology Clinic and established and oversees the NSU Rheumatology Research Unit on campus. Dr. Kesselman has authored over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and major conference posters, with research interests focused on cardiac comorbidities in autoimmune patients, nutritional and dietary modifications for those with autoimmune diseases, and the adverse effects of immune checkpoint therapies. Before his current work in rheumatology, he completed a fellowship in Adult Cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center and practiced cardiology in Aventura, Florida. Additionally, Dr. Kesselman created the NERDEL educational program to combat childhood obesity, which includes children’s books, educational materials for schools, and an EMMY-nominated children’s TV program.