A new study published in the medical journal Vaccine found that more than 50% of dog owners in the United States are increasingly skeptical of dog vaccines.
THE studypublished Saturday, August 26, conducted a survey of 2,200 people regarding their opinions on routine canine vaccines, particularly rabies vaccines.
Surprisingly, 53% of participants experienced something the researchers called canine vaccine hesitancy (CVH), which they described as “Dog owners’ skepticism about the safety and effectiveness of giving routine vaccines to their dogs.”
These participants believe that canine vaccines are dangerous, ineffective and/or useless.
Additionally, 37% were concerned that canine vaccines could cause autism in their dogsa theory that is not supported by any scientific evidence.
Talk to USA todaythe researchers, brother-sister duo Matt and Gabrielle Motta and Dominik Stecula, said they were quite surprised themselves.
Matt Motta, a political scientist and researcher at Boston University’s School of Public Health, told USA Today: “The sheer number of people sharing these views was quite striking… that, to me, is quite alarming. »
Motta also said: “I think the COVID-19 vaccine has fundamentally changed the way Americans view vaccination in general. »
“I think, alarmingly, this could impact people’s attitudes towards vaccinating their pets and, frankly, who knows what else? You know, it could go even further.
![Veterinarian holding syringe with vaccine near big white dog in clinic](https://www.dogingtonpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Veterinarian-holding-syringe-with-vaccine-near-big-white-dog-in-clinic-1024x683.jpg)
Meanwhile, Gabriella Motta, a certified veterinarian, believes vaccine hesitancy comes from pet owners’ love for their dogs and lack of experience with the diseases these vaccines protect against.
Speaking to USA Today, Motta said: “I think when owners question the vaccine, they’re coming from a place where they really care about their dogs and they don’t want their dogs to be a guinea pig or, you know, get something that they don’t want. do not need. , this could potentially cause a side effect.
However, she stressed the importance of keeping the majority of the population vaccinated, “WWe don’t know what other countries are doing where rabies is a legitimate fear of people,” she continued.
The study researchers called CVH “problematic” and explained: “HCV is problematic not only because it can lead to vaccine refusal – which in turn can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases in dog and human populations – but also because it can contribute to risks to mental and physical health of veterinary care providers. »
The study showed that sustained vaccination of at least 70% of dogs can almost eliminate cases of human rabies, especially in high-risk areas.
However, researchers warned that with the prevalence of HCV, vaccination rates could eventually fall below 70%.
“Disturbingly, we find that HCV is associated with non-vaccination against rabies, as well as opposition to evidence-based vaccine policies. » they continued.
According to World Health OrganizationDogs are responsible for 99% of human deaths from rabies worldwide, making them the primary carriers and transmitters of this viral disease.