Anti-Vaxxer Sympathy

[Aractus]

Actually, I know a lot of people who refuse to immunize.  I live in Oregon.  A lot of people here think it is "unnatural" and prefer homoeopathy or naturopathy. I suppose that is distrust for organized medicine, but Oregon has very good public health care for the poor (I know, I've been homeless here and I was still able to get basic healthcare).

What you define as being "basic healthcare" might be enough to satisfy your health needs. However other people might have a different point of view when it comes to whether their health needs are met or not.

All throughout history people have been putting their trust and care into the local 'wizard' and his alternative health services. There are plenty of examples in history where poor people in the middle ages, or earlier, refused the care a physician even when a physician would offer their services below the cost of the local wizard. We now know that this is primarily due to inequitable access to health services: that is the wizard and his alternative practise accepts anyone, but the physician cares for the middle and upper class people in the main.

Education is one barrier, but it's not the only one. I've mentioned three just in this one post: education, equitable access, and addressing patient needs. In previous posts I've repeatedly mentioned fear and mistrust as well as another prominent well-recognised barrier.