The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has launched a new webpage designed to aid veterinarians in addressing vaccine hesitancy among pet owners. Studies indicate that a significant portion of dog and cat owners still have concerns about the safety and necessity of vaccines.
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The AVMA’s resource provides veterinarians with practical communication tips and techniques for discussing vaccine recommendations with clients. A 2023 survey published in Vaccine revealed that 52% of U.S. dog owners expressed some level of hesitance regarding canine vaccinations. Furthermore, 37% believed canine vaccines to be unsafe, 22% deemed them ineffective, and 30% considered them unnecessary. This hesitancy is linked to lower vaccination rates, particularly for rabies, and resistance to evidence-based vaccination policies.
Despite these concerns, trust in veterinarians plays a crucial role in vaccination decisions. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2025 found that 62.9% of dog owners and 61.2% of cat owners trusted their veterinarians. Dog owners with a higher level of trust were more likely to rely on veterinarians as their primary source of vaccine information, highlighting the impact of veterinarian-client trust on vaccination behavior.
Prior surveys have noted that many clients resisting vaccination cited factors like cost, perceived low necessity, or fears of severe illness related to vaccines. Additionally, a 2021 study indicated a correlation between organized anti-vaccine movements within communities and the number of vaccine-resistant pet owners veterinarians encountered.
Taken together, these findings emphasize the importance of the AVMA’s new resource, offering veterinarians a timely tool to facilitate evidence-based conversations about vaccination while maintaining client trust.