Vaccine safety is a very real concern for some patients1,2
Be prepared to establish honest and respectful dialogue2-4
With the continuing proliferation of material on the internet and in social media, patients may be inundated with conflicting information about the safety of vaccines. As a result, hesitancy may present as skepticism or with additional follow-up questions and concerns.4-7
Navigate your next vaccine-hesitancy conversation related to safety concerns or general mistrust of the health care system with help from these sample scenarios.
What hesitancy sounds like…
“How do I know vaccines are safe?”
Parent:
“How do I know vaccines are safe?”
HCP:
“Vaccines go through a strict approval process. For instance, just to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), vaccines are rigorously researched and tested.8
Even after approval, vaccines continue to be monitored for additional safety and efficacy concerns.8
But there are still risks. That’s why a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) is given to every person with each vaccine they receive to inform them of the risks and benefits of the vaccine.”9
You may also be hearing…
“I’d like to delay my child’s vaccinations. Can we save this for her next appointment?”
Parent:
“I’d like to delay my child’s vaccinations. Can we save this for her next appointment?”
HCP:
“I’m hearing that you’d like an alternative vaccination schedule. Could you help me understand why?”
Parent:
“It just seems like a lot all at once, and I’m not sure if it’s safe.”
HCP:
“The CDC-recommended vaccination schedule is designed to help protect children before they are exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases.10
It’s based on many factors, including how your child’s immune system responds to vaccines at various ages, and how likely your child is to be exposed to a particular disease.10
Delaying vaccines could leave your child vulnerable to disease and may lead to serious complications.10
I feel confident in this schedule, which is recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), etc.”11
“What about vaccine side effects?”
Parent:
“I’m not sure I want my child to get those shots. I’m a little concerned about the side effects.”
HCP:
“That’s understandable. Can you tell me what concerns you the most?”
Parent:
“Well, I’ve heard they can be dangerous.”
HCP:
“Vaccines can cause side effects that are usually mild and go away quickly on their own, such as a low-grade fever, headache and/or pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given.12
Serious side effects are extremely rare, but could include severe allergic reaction. Signs of a severe allergic reaction could be difficulty breathing, swelling of face and throat, and/or a bad rash on the body. Does that help address your concerns?”12
Parent:
“I’m still not sure.”
HCP:
“Okay. I’ll give you some information to read and we can reschedule a visit in 2-3 days to discuss any questions or concerns you might still have. Does that sound good?”
“I’ve heard a lot of conflicting information, and I don’t know what to believe.”
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. It can be hard when you’re unsure which information is true and which isn’t. Is there 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 hope you can also trust me to help with your vaccination decision.
Vaccinations are an important part of your child’s health.13 So important that I make sure my family and I are all vaccinated.”
Explore other scenarios and strategies for overcoming vaccine hesitancy.
Lack of information:
“How do I know which vaccines I need/my child needs?”
Learn more:
The science behind the strategies
Vaccine necessity:
“Why does my child need this vaccine? It’s not required by our school.”
“Why does my child need this vaccine? It’s not required by our school.”
All scenarios:
Download a comprehensive PDF
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Vaccine safety: get the facts. Reviewed November 22, 2021. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/immunizations/Pages/Vaccine-Safety-The-Facts.aspx
- Nabet B, Gable J, Eder J, Feemster K. Addressing vaccine hesitancy to protect children and communities against preventable diseases. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; PolicyLab, 2017. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://policylab.chop.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/publications/Addressing_Vaccine_Hesitancy.pdf
- Smith MJ. Promoting vaccine confidence. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015;29(4):759-769. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2015.07.004
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preparing for questions parents may ask about vaccines. Reviewed April 11, 2018. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/preparing-for-parent-vaccine-questions.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Talking with parents about vaccines for infants. Reviewed April 11, 2018. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/conversations/talking-with-parents.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Educate the parent or patient. Reviewed May 7, 2019. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/educating-patients.html
- Brunson EK. The impact of social networks on parents’ vaccination decisions. Pediatrics. 2013;131(5):e1397-404. doi:10.1542/peds.2012-2452
- Food and Drug Administration. Vaccine development – 101. Reviewed December 14, 2020. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/development-approval-process-cber/vaccine-development-101
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Facts about VISs. Reviewed December 17, 2021. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/about/facts-vis.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reasons to follow CDC’s recommended immunization schedule. Reviewed February 25, 2020. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/schedules/reasons-follow-schedule.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2024. Updated February 29, 2024. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Vaccine side effects. Reviewed May 6, 2022. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/safety/side-effects/index.html
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Vaccine basics. Reviewed November 9, 2022. Accessed March 6, 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/immunization/basics/index.html