“I’ve heard a lot of conflicting information, and I don’t know what to believe.”
Making affirmations creates a comfortable environment where parents may be more open to change. Reassure parents by validating their motivations and good intentions to do what’s best for their child.5
Example Conversation
Parent:
“I’ve heard a lot of conflicting information, and I don’t know what to believe.”
HCP:
“I understand that you just want to make the best decision for your child and it can be hard when you’re unsure what information is true and what is not. Can you tell me about anything specific that I can help clear up?”
Parent:
“Well, my best friend read something on social media and now she doesn’t want to vaccinate her family.”
HCP:
“It’s good that you have someone you trust who can share their personal choices like that. I can tell you that I choose to vaccinate my own family and strongly recommend that all those I’m close with do the same.”7
The Science of Persuasion
Providers who share their own personal stories may stand a better chance of connecting with vaccine-hesitant parents.8 Parents want to hear that you vaccinate your children, or about other personal experiences you have with vaccination.7
Miller WR, Rollnick S. What is motivational interviewing? In: Miller WR and Rollnick S, eds. Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. 3rd ed. Guilford Publications; 2012:1-36.
id7
Reference
Shelby A, Ernst K. Story and science. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2013;9(8):1795-1801. doi:10.4161/hv.24828
id8
Reference
Hill HA, Yankey D, Elam-Evans LD, et al. Vaccination coverage by age 24 months among children born in 2016 and 2017–national immunization survey-child, United States, 2017-2019. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2020;69(42):1505-1511. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm6942a1
Merck does not review or control the content at the site to which this link connects. Merck makes no representation with respect to the content of any non-Merck site.
