Heidi J Larson

Heidi J Larson is a Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), specializing in vaccine hesitancy, public health, and global health policy. Her research focuses on understanding and addressing vaccination confidence challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. She has led studies on HPV vaccination strategies, influenza vaccine uptake, and the sociocultural factors influencing vaccination decisions in diverse populations.

Her work spans multiple regions, including Africa, Asia, and Europe, with a strong emphasis on pandemic preparedness and trust-building in health systems. Notable contributions include analyzing the impact of vaccine safety incidents (e.g., the 2018 Changchun Changsheng vaccine crisis in China) and developing communication strategies to counter misinformation during outbreaks like Ebola and Zika. She collaborates with global health organizations to design interventions that improve healthcare worker engagement and community trust.

Key themes in her research include the emotional dimensions of health decisions, the role of technology (e.g., chatbots) in enhancing vaccine acceptance, and the ethical dimensions of public health policy. She advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to tackle vaccine hesitancy, emphasizing the intersection of science, policy, and cultural context.