Family Centered Care Midwifery Intervention to Overcome Vaccine Hesitancy: A Case Study of Incomplete Immunization in Tanjung Morawa
Keywords:
AEFI Management, Family-Centered Care, Immunization Compliance, Midwifery Intervention, Vaccine HesitancyAbstract
Background: Immunization is a critical global health intervention, yet incomplete coverage remains a significant challenge due to parental anxiety regarding adverse events.Although immunization is proven to save lives, global childhood vaccination coverage has stagnated due to growing parental anxiety. This anxiety is deeply rooted in love, driven by an overwhelming fear of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) such as high fevers, seizures, or other unpredictable side effects. This fear is amplified by the influx of negative stories on social media, making extremely rare medical risks feel like immediate threats that will inevitably harm their own child. Consequently, parents are trapped in a painful emotional dilemma: they desperately want to protect their child from future diseases, yet they dread that a medical procedure today might inadvertently harm their little one. This article explores how healthcare communication must evolve—shifting away from merely presenting cold statistics toward embracing and validating parental fears with deeper empathy and humanity Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of family-centered midwifery protocols in improving immunization compliance for a 1-year-old child with an incomplete vaccination status. Methods: A qualitative community midwifery approach using the 7-step Varney management framework was conducted from February to May 2026 in Bangun Rejo Village, Deli Serdang. The intervention utilized a family-centered educational protocol focusing on the management of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). Results: Initial assessments revealed the child missed the first measles dose due to parental trauma over previous post-immunization fever. Following targeted family-centered education, parental knowledge regarding AEFI management significantly improved. Consequently, the mother proactively brought the child to the integrated health post (Posyandu) to receive the measles vaccine. Subsequent monitoring showed normal physiological responses with managed mild fever, eliminating parental anxiety. Conclusions: Family-centered midwifery care effectively addresses vaccine hesitancy by empowering parents with knowledge and practical AEFI management skills. Continuous educational support is vital for maintaining complete immunization coverage.
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