“I’ve heard a lot of conflicting information, and I don’t know what to believe.”

making affirmation making affirmation

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

Hesitancy may also sound like…

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Reference

  1. 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

  1. Shelby A, Ernst K. Story and science. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2013;9(8):1795-1801. doi:10.4161/hv.24828
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Reference

  1. 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

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