Table 6.

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

Theme	Comment
Pre-discussion
Adaptive immunity	Vaccines are an effective way for babies to be exposed to antigens in a safe way so they can build up their adaptive immune system in order to contact later exposure to pathogen
Vaccines improve immunity	I think vaccines are most effective in babies because their immune systems are still developing
Somewhat effective – timing	Varies depending on age of baby & if Breastfed on not. Maternal antibodies interfere with VE & vax more effective once immune system is fully developed (after 2 yrs old?)
Somewhat effective – vaccine dependent	Seem very effective for major diseases, not so much for flu, etc
Disease prevention	We have smallpox vaccine & smallpox is eradicated; we have polio vaccine & disease is almost eradicated. Seems pretty effective to me
Post-discussion
Disease prevention	Vaccines remain the best way to preventatively protect your children against the pathogen that will seek to harm them in their lives. (similar comment under Adults)
Effective for babies	It is effective, however, each person is going to respond differently
	Baby vaccines are effective. Polio and other diseases are being wiped out through vaccination. Keep all American kids safe.
No change	I still feel vaccines are best effective for babies No change, still think very effective. More research = increased effectiveness No significant change because I trust in the science and efficacy of vaccines and I did not get any new information. The science is maybe getting better
Change	As an epidemiologist, I have always had a positive view of vaccines and I think vaccinomics would make my opinion stronger I think vaccines based on genes would be more effective. However, the information must not be allowed to influence life & health insurance policies. The slides on/video said most vaccines (average) are only 80–90% effective & I didn’t know that before (same comment appeared under Adults)