LOS ANGELES, Sept 12 (Reuters) – The anti-vaccination movement that has flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic appears to apply to dog owners as well, according to a new study. It turns out that doctors are at increased risk of getting sick.
The results of a study on canine vaccine hesitancy (CVH) by the Boston University School of Public Health were published on August 26th. The results showed that 37% of dog owners think dog vaccines are unsafe, 22% of dog owners think they are ineffective, and 30% think dog vaccines are ineffective. found. they are unnecessary.
The survey, conducted in partnership with market research and data analysis firm YouGov, found that overall, 53% of dog owners held one of these three views.
“We knew from anecdotes and real-life experience that there was hesitancy to vaccinate dogs, but we didn’t know how prevalent it was,” lead author of the study, Associate Professor Matt Motta, told Reuters. I didn’t know that,” he told Reuters. He believes this study is the first of its kind.
The injectable rabies vaccine for dogs is one of the only vaccines required in many states in the United States.
However, veterinarians are also trying to persuade owners to vaccinate against other diseases. In California, veterinarians recommend vaccines against parvovirus, canine hepatitis, and distemper.
“The more dogs we have that are not vaccinated, the greater the risk of disease transmission. Similarly, veterinary professionals like my sister and others who may come into contact with unvaccinated pets increase the risk of disease transmission. For all of us, there is a potential risk of getting sick,” Motta said. .
Todd Calsin, a veterinarian at Laurel Pet Hospital in West Hollywood, said he was surprised at how much hesitance was at first, but said the findings are consistent with questions he’s been receiving from dog owners.
“With the COVID-19 vaccine and everything that’s going on right now, I think we’re starting to see that reflected in our pets,” Kalsin said.
An April UNICEF report reveals that people around the world are losing confidence in the importance of routine childhood vaccines against deadly diseases such as measles and polio during the coronavirus pandemic. Became.
Dog owner Patty Sosa, 42, of Laguna Beach, called the study’s findings “shocking.”
“You’re trying to do your best, but the other person isn’t doing their part,” Sosa said. “It’s not fun, it’s not fun.”
Sandra Stojanovic, Lolo Ross and Jorge Garcia report from Los Angeles.Editing: Bill Berkrot
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