Posted on 07/02/2025 3:16:47 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Tips to persuade, and lead with empathy, in the dreaded vaccine conversation
I am hearing a story repeated across specializations and practice settings: Clinicians and caregivers alike are avoiding -- or dreading -- vaccine conversations. Often, they leave conversations with feelings of resentment (instead of clarity) as well. For clinicians, the need to "debunk" myths or correct irrational statements can induce angst because they know the facts; they want to provide the best possible care. Yet, they can't seem to speak the right language.
The experience can be draining and disheartening, and many of us grow weary of trying. Have you found yourself, more and more, accepting what patients or caregivers say without discussing the evidence-based guidance to provide immunizations for all age-eligible children?
I am a pediatric nurse practitioner, a scholar of vaccine hesitancy, and I am writing to encourage you to have the tough conversations. With the right tactics, they don't have to feel so intimidating. We can and should have the "talk." (No, not the safe sex talk -- the one about preventing diseases that can be passed from person to person without physical contact!)
In 2025, science is being overshadowed by opinions. Vaccine skepticism (I would go so far as to say vaccine hatred) has taken over social media platforms. This is causing an unprecedented number of parents and caregivers to reject having their children immunized. They may question a vaccine for fear of side effects, lack of knowledge of the disease they are being protected against, or a desire to live a more natural lifestyle.
Oftentimes, these individuals are resistant to having vaccine discussions with their pediatric clinicians. Clinicians who try to have "the talk" may feel frustrated because of the extra time it takes during a visit to discuss concerns of caregivers that may be grounded in conspiracy or misinformation. Offering fact-based information is often met with further resistance and can increase the tension in small exam rooms.
Many clinicians may feel that they "know better" than these parents and are well-trained to combat parental online research. We are not in a battle, however. There are better ways to approach the "talk."
As healthcare professionals, we are taught how to have difficult conversations. In our pre-licensure programs, we learn a range of evidence-informed approaches such as de-escalation techniques, crisis response and debriefs, active bystander strategies, and more. We can borrow empathetic listening and persuasion tactics from all of these practices.
When approaching the vaccine conversation, it's time to dust off the skills of motivational interviewingopens in a new tab or window in particular, and put those to use. Recall, with motivational interviewing, the key skill for the clinician is listening: Find out what the caregiver feels and if there is anything that would support them in making the decision to vaccinate. Inquisitiveness drives motivational interviewing; instead of telling parents what we think is best for their child, we should be listening for "the why" that underscores the decision to forgo what we believe is the standard of care.
Questions to help start this conversation include:
Would you be open to discussing vaccination today?
What are some of your thoughts and feelings about vaccination?
Can you tell me what you have heard about this vaccine?
(If you sense hesitation) Is there a concern you have regarding vaccines?
What is your experience with vaccination?
Create a comfortable space for the caregivers to discuss their fears and listen to what they have to say. Do not dismiss them. Take a deep breath and then repeat back what you heard. Validate their worries and recognize that they are doing their best to care for and protect their kid(s) -- just like you are. Then ask if you can offer them information on what you know about vaccines.
In my experience, particularly with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, a caregiver will often decline and tell me they need to do more research. Our scholarly brains tell us that the evidence is plentiful; we know the data from randomized control trials; we know that certain strains of HPVopens in a new tab or window have been linked to cervical, oral, neck, and anal cancers.
Might I offer that when you encounter this response in the future, that you simply state, "That's great! I respect that you want to know as much as you can about this vaccine. Here are a few resources for you." And then share the following list:
The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Immunization Special Interest Group
Vaccines & Diseases -- Vaccinate Your Family
Unity Consortium, Improving the Vaccination Experience
Improving the Vaccination Experience: Immunize.org
Vaccine Webinar Series from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Vaccinate With Confidence
If you are providing pediatric care at any level, vaccine recommendations should occur. We know the vaccine schedule is supported by pediatric professional organizations such as NAPNAP and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has historically provided expert guidance to the CDC for updates, changes, and retractions from the schedule.
Finally, we need to tell caregivers what their chosen media outlets' headlines are likely not saying: There is a measles outbreak with more than 1,200 casesopens in a new tab or window, and this is the worst we have seen since 2019. There is a cost of life and dollars associated with this outbreak, and just one decision against vaccinating a child could end up with the ultimate price of diminished health or the purchase of a tiny casket.
No, I am not suggesting we lead with fear. However, we must cautiously deliver facts to capture the attention of caregivers who sit on the fence and who, with our expert advice, may decide that the pinch of the needle is worth it for their child(ren).
Stacy B. Buchanan, DNP, RN,opens in a new tab or window is assistant professor (clinical track) in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. She is also a committee member and chair of the immunization special interest group in the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). She serves as liaison to ACIP on behalf of NAPNAP. The opinions expressed are hers and do not represent those of Emory University.
Disclosures
Buchanan has worked with NAPNAP on a COVID-19 provider education initiative for which she received honoraria.
Then there’s this:
“Buchanan has worked with NAPNAP on a COVID-19 provider education initiative for which she received honoraria.”
That is true of Moderna and Pfizer, but I am pretty sure that Johnson and Johnson and the others were traditional vaccines.
Q-How many legs does a cow have?
A- Four
Q-Lets call her tail a leg...Now how many legs does a cow have?
A-Five?
NO! Damnit!
Just because you decided to call a tail a leg, doesn't make it one!
Check the timeline....they didn't.
As a physician - Family Medicine, board certified since 1999 - practicing since graduating in 1991 (plus some clinical rotations in med school and 7 years as an Army medic/pharmacy tech) I have about as much faith in a NURSE practitioner as I do gas station sushi, even less for one who has a “doctorate.”
She is NOT a “doctor,” and never will be.
This entire screed of hers is pro-PHARMA propaganda.
I knew within MONTHS of the mRNA shots coming out that they were ineffective and that people who WERE getting covid after the shot/booster (mere months out) WERE sick as dogs, many sicker than others getting covid and they were also spreading it to their family members.
I advised patients NOT to get the shot if they could avoid it. It was experimental, wasn’t working, long-term risks weren’t known (although I’d already seen a half dozen cases of myocarditis working in urgent care within months of the drug’s release into the general public). I especially told pregnant women they should seriously consider NOT getting it despite their OB telling them they and they baby were at greater risk from the virus which was bullshit.
I begged my family NOT to get the shot. My son, 25, got one and a booster, Pfizer, my wife and daughter got the J&J one which hasn’t had as many published side effects so far as anyone knows.
I avoided getting one arguing with my director that I had already HAD covid and natural immunity was superior to any shot.
I had to get weekly tests - passed every single one - for over a year until I retired, staying on as an online clinical consultant.
This NP is a shill for Pharma.
There IS no “vaccine hesitancy.”
mRNA doesn’t produce immunity.
You CAN get covid after the shots
the illness CAN be as bad or worse as ever
you WILL spread the virus while sick after having the shots.
Ivermectin, HCQ work.
In over a year of seeing something on the order of 30-50 positive cases a day in urgent care while I was transitioning into retirement/moving from Maryland, NOT ONE patient taking HCQ for an autoimmune disorder ever had covid - by antibody OR PCR testing - something I brought up in online forums and caught hell for promoting “anectdotes.”
F*ck science. Little Lord Fauci, “Doctor Science’ should be rotting in prison.
Every trip to the VA they offer yet another round of shots. Nope, I’ve had enough in this lifetime.
I believe most of have despite what the pharmaceutical companies are pushing.
Thanks for posting
It’s like this, son. When a man and a woman fall in love, they get married. And, then, on their wedding night, they get naked and, wait, what were we talking about?.....
How the eff could he possibly do that?!?
This vaccine lady speaks religious dogma.
😄
Ditto
Agee. Ditto for the annual flu shot.
“Clinicians who try to have “the talk” may feel frustrated because of the extra time it takes during a visit to discuss concerns of caregivers that may be grounded in conspiracy or misinformation.”
In my experience if I politely ask for the manufacturer’s “medical information sheet”, or even ask the exact name of the shot they propose to give me, they act a little annoyed.
They had a good run but the days of we want to give you this shot for X, I ask the name of the exact shot and tell them I want to look into it before I decide.
They blew massive credibility in the covid scam and went all in for authoritarian power. Now they are just like a mechanic telling me what my car needs. My BASELINE is that they are trying to sell me something and they have to prove I need it.
What a pile of bullslchttein.
My MD told me to avoid the covid shot. No othere kind of vax ever entered our conversation. Flu shots? Never got flu in last 30 years. Had a cold tthat lasted five days about eiight years ago.
Firm believer in eating right, taking lots of vitamins, and exercising as much as possible/
It’s called PREVENTION. My MD actually prescribes most of those vitamins, making the tax deductble medical expenses.
I am pretty certain RFK Jr is no longer involved with them. Not sure when that info was published so it may or may not have been during his tenure with them.
“...science is being overshadowed by opinions.”
As far as I’m concerned science is being overshadowed by something other than science,ie: “male / female / other?
G Larry wrote: “Regarding the Covid shot: 1. It is NOT a “vaccine” as it contains NONE of the viral components, alive or dead. 2. It does not prevent you from catching Covid. 3. It does not prevent you from spreading Covid.”
1. It is a vaccine. It contains the spike protein.
2. No vaccine is 100% effective in preventing illness.
3. No vaccine is 100% effective in preventing the spread of a disease.
Bkmk
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