Autor(es): Correia, Tiago ; Hilário, Ana Patrícia ; Guerreiro, Cátia ; Mendonça, Joana ; Morais, Rita ; Augusto, Fábio Rafael ; Beja, André
Data: 2025
Identificador Persistente: http://hdl.handle.net/10362/188581
Origem: Repositório Institucional da UNL
Assunto(s): Evidence-based practice; Health care professionals; Policy making; Trust; Vaccine hesitancy; Health Policy; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Funding Information: This study was funded by a project from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 965280. The publication is supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for funds to GHTM - UID/04413/2020 and LA-REAL-LA/P/0117/2020. Fábio Rafael Augusto's work is funded by the FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. under the Scientific Employment Stimulus - Individual Call (CEEC Individual) - 2023.06935. CEECIND/CP2882/CT0002. Publisher Copyright: © 2025
Vaccine hesitancy presents significant challenges to public health, exacerbated by a lack of cohesive policies in Europe. Recognized as a complex social phenomenon influenced by various factors, vaccine hesitancy threatens health systems and public trust. This paper analyses the political background and current gaps in policies addressing vaccine hesitancy, with a specific focus on the role of healthcare authorities, organizations and professionals in shaping effective responses. The VAX-TRUST project, funded by H2020 and conducted in seven European countries, provides a framework for translating social scientific research into actionable strategies within healthcare settings. Using methodologies such as the Delphi method, the project developed the ASTARE model, which encompasses six dimensions: Awareness, Support, Training, Agency, Recognition, and Engagement. These dimensions guide tailored recommendations to strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals, organizations, and authorities in addressing vaccine hesitancy, enhancing public trust, and vaccine confidence and uptake. The paper highlights the necessity of evidence-based, collaborative, and adaptive policies that raise public awareness, counteract misinformation, and support healthcare professionals. Effective policymaking requires understanding legislative processes, leveraging scientific evidence, and fostering stakeholder participation. By emphasizing context-sensitive interventions and culturally informed strategies, this study provides a comprehensive approach for health systems to address vaccine hesitancy and improve public health outcomes across Europe.
