The article reported the results of compatible surveys tracking parental attitudes toward childhood vaccination in England, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Sweden between 2008 and 2009. Surveys involving over 6,600 parents revealed that health professionals were consistently seen as the most trusted source of information about vaccines. Overall, parental attitudes were positive, with most parents recognizing the importance of immunization for community health and expressing willingness to vaccinate their children in the future. However, doubts and concerns—especially about vaccine safety and specific vaccines like MMR—varied between countries, influenced by local contexts, media coverage, and differences in survey methods. The study concluded that while a standardized approach to surveying attitudes was challenging, routine monitoring of public opinion is crucial for maintaining trust and vaccine coverage.
This was the most cited article among those for which I was the leading or senior author. We pooled results from five surveys conducted in parallel using a shared methodology, including a core set of ten questions implemented in each country. The work was carried out within the EU‑funded VACSATC project (Vaccine Safety: Attitudes, Training and Communication). I led the preparation of the manuscript with substantial support from my co‑authors. Collaborating with this team was extremely rewarding, particularly through the many meetings and in‑depth discussions in which we shared experiences and perspectives.