Table 5.

Participants’ written comments explaining pre vs. post-discussion vaccine effectiveness ratings for adults

Theme	Comment
Pre-discussion
VE greater for children than adults	Vaccines don’t work as well in adults than children bc of immune changes & being introduced to more
Somewhat effective – vaccine dependent	Depends on the vaccine but clearly the flu vaccine is limited in effectiveness year to year
	I think that they’re mostly very effective but it depends on the vaccine & the reaction of the person receiving the vaccine (allergies, etc) Vaccines are safe in the military. I had several and was in close contact with others. I didn’t get ill for the vaccines. I think vaccines are effective but the adult immune system may have been exposed previously
Effective in adults	Because adult has fully developed immune system, a 1 day old infant getting hep B vax won’t respond as well as adult getting hep B vaccine I think they’re less effective than for children but still more effective than nothing Some vaccines do not create long term resistance which may decrease net effectiveness But when the vaccine is effective in a group; diseases are eradicated Small pox
Post-discussion
Disease prevention	Vaccines are the absolute best way to prevent pathological damage to our community proven by science
Effective in adults	May not be customized but still work
	I think most vaccines are effective for adults the only ones that I don’t think are as effective are created yearly like flu vaccines
	Im not convinced that they’re more or less effective. but I’m hopeful but terrified for the future I think vaccines based on genes would be more effective. However, I feel more comfortable with vaccines that have been around for 20+ years For all questions after discussion – reinforced my beliefs in safety and experience of vaccines. No change in “dots” placement.
Change	No significant change because I already do vaccinations and believe in the science. However, I think this will better inform the science.