Overview

Pediatric vaccination rates have been declining in recent years. A relatively small percentage of people take a strict anti-vaccination stance regardless of evidence or scientific consensus, but other individuals, classified as “vaccine-hesitant,” are moving toward anti-vaccination, or “vaccine refusal” practices for a variety of reasons, including aggressive misinformation campaigns, lack of understanding of vaccines, distrust of healthcare, and safety concerns. For clinicians, the circumstances are frustrating and the limited amount of time available to spend with patients and parents makes effectively addressing concerns or mitigating distrust difficult.

This program is intended for pediatricians, primary care providers, pharmacists, and other members of the multidisciplinary team best positioned to discuss pediatric vaccines with parents.

Being unvaccinated is a significant concern for individual health, community health, and public health resource use. Vaccines are among the most effective public health interventions against infectious diseases, but routine vaccination rates for kindergarten children declined during the COVID-19 pandemic and have yet to rebound whereas exemptions from school vaccination requirements have increased, likely contributing to a recent surge in measles and pertussis cases. One reason for the decline in pediatric vaccinations is vaccine hesitancy among parents. Such hesitancy stems from a variety of concerns and misconceptions, often fueled by misinformation campaigns. Overcoming these barriers to vaccination is vital, and recommendations and interventions from healthcare professionals are paramount for vaccine acceptance. Indeed, clinicians play pivotal roles in addressing vaccine hesitancy and encouraging vaccinations and, therefore, must employ optimal strategies in practice to overcome vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. This interactive practice guide provides models for communicating with vaccine-hesitant parents according to their specific questions and concerns; educational modules with important background information and evidence-based discussion strategies; and additional downloadable resources you can use in your practice.

Upon completion of this activity, learners will be able to:
• Review most recent vaccination rates and discuss broader public health implications
• Identify the common myths that are associated with vaccines that undermine pediatric immunizations
• Formulate individualized counseling and communication strategies to improve vaccine uptake among children

Strategies for Communicating With Vaccine-Hesitant Parents 
1. Strategies for addressing a lack of knowledge about vaccines  
2. Strategies for discussing vaccine misconceptions and safety 
3. Strategies for addressing concerns about vaccine necessity  

Provided by the Academy for Continued Healthcare Learning (ACHL). 

Supported by an educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc.

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