Talking to vaccine-hesitant parents
Vaccine-hesitant parents (who delay or refuse vaccines even though they are available) are helped by listening to their fears first, then explaining without judging them.
Remember
Listen to what the parents fear first, then explain why vaccines are given, how they work and how safe they are, without judgement. A judgemental approach can make parents refuse.
Vaccine hesitancy means delaying vaccines, or refusing them, even though they are available. It is usually driven by fear and mistrust rather than a lack of facts, so the way the conversation is conducted matters as much as the facts.
Start by listening. The clinician asks the parents about their concerns and explores exactly what frightens them. NICE advises personalised responses and tailored information on the risks and benefits of vaccination. The clinician identifies the specific worry and answers it with accurate information.
Then explain why vaccines are given, how they work, what the benefits are and why they are safe. Do this in a non-judgemental way, avoiding blame and pressure. A judgemental approach may encourage parents to double down (hold on to their position more tightly) and refuse to vaccinate at all.
Common worries can often be answered directly. Giving many vaccines at once, for example the 6-in-1 vaccine, will not overload the immune system and reduces the number of injections needed. Vaccines are tested rigorously.
NICE says consultations (appointments) need enough time for concerns to be identified and addressed. If the parents still decline after a good discussion, respect their decision and leave the door open for later.
Key facts
- Hesitancy
- delaying or refusing vaccines even though they are available.
- Order
- listen to and explore the parents' fears first, then explain.
- Content
- why vaccines are given, how they work, the benefits and why they are safe.
- Manner
- non-judgemental, acknowledging the parents' concerns and giving enough time.
- In the UK
- vaccination is offered rather than compelled.
- If parents decline
- respect their decision and leave the door open for later.
Exam traps
- Strongly emphasising the dangers of refusing vaccination to persuade parents to comply tends to entrench opposition rather than build understanding, because fear-based messaging can make parents defensive.
- Telling parents that vaccination is mandatory is wrong in the UK, where vaccination is offered rather than compelled, and judgemental statements damage trust.
- Recommending that vaccination is delayed until parents feel more comfortable sounds kind but leaves the child unprotected for longer, and it does nothing to address the worries causing the hesitancy.
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