Ask a Doctor: How to Talk to Loved Ones About Vaccines

Misinformation and disinformation about vaccines lead to vaccine hesitancy and mistrust. According to a study by the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, "Misinformation about vaccines has proliferated on social media where it has led to rising levels of vaccine hesitancy at a faster rate than interventions are addressing it."

Evidence shows that routine childhood vaccinations prevent millions of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. But how do you approach a friend or loved one who is hesitant about vaccines? And how does misinformation differ from disinformation? Healthier Generation’s Dr. Jessica Reggi is here to answer these questions and more. 

Q: What is vaccine hesitancy?

Dr. Reggi: Vaccine hesitancy is described as a spectrum by the American Academy of Pediatrics, from having concerns about vaccines to refusing vaccines. The World Health Organization says, “Vaccine hesitancy is influenced by a number of factors, including issues of confidence (do not trust a vaccine or a provider), complacency (do not perceive a need for a vaccine or do not value the vaccine), and convenience." 

Q: What is vaccine disinformation vs. misinformation?

Dr. Reggi: Unfortunately, many sources share false claims or incorrect information about science, health, medicine, diseases, and vaccines. Misinformation is incorrect information; disinformation is incorrect information that is purposefully shared in order to mislead. 

To combat misinformation and disinformation, it’s important to consider who is sharing information, what source the information is coming from, and why it’s being shared with you. According to the News Literacy Project, “News literacy is the ability to determine what is credible and what is not, to identify different types of information, and to use the standards in deciding what to trust, what to share and what to act on.”

Q: My relative is concerned about the safety of childhood vaccines. How should I approach a conversation with them?

Dr. Reggi: When a loved one has questions or concerns about vaccines, talking with a trusted family member or friend may help. When talking with someone who has concerns about vaccines, practice empathy and consider their needs.

• Trust: Do they need support finding a new healthcare provider because they currently feel rushed through their appointments? 
• Access: Can their children get vaccinated at a school-based health clinic? Or can they get their vaccine questions answered by their school nurse to avoid another trip to the doctor? 
• Need and value: Do they need a reputable source of information about a specific vaccine because they never received it as a child?

Q. How can I reassure someone who is hesitant that vaccines are safe?

Dr. Reggi: Most concerns fall into two main categories: vaccine safety and vaccine schedule. 

Vaccine Safety
There are longstanding systems in place and networks of health and science experts who are continuously studying and testing vaccines. When sharing information about these protective mechanisms and safety nets, consider someone's learning style, personality, and communication preferences. Would they prefer to read about the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) on the CDC website? Or maybe they’d prefer to watch an animated video about these systems and networks with you?

It can be helpful to remind relatives that mild symptoms like fever, fatigue, and body aches, are an expected immune system response to vaccines, and the body is doing its job. Simply stated, “the flu shot doesn’t give you the flu.” 

Vaccine Schedule
The science around an infant’s immature immune system is important to consider when wondering why babies frequently receive multiple vaccines at once for their first year of life. Vaccines are given before a child is likely to be exposed to a virus or bacteria. 

Q: How do I emphasize the importance of making sure children are up to date on routine and recommended vaccines?

Dr. Reggi: In conversations like these, it can be helpful to focus on actual incidents. There have been 13 measles outbreaks in the United States in the first eight months of 2024, compared to just four outbreaks in 2023. 86% of the 2024 cases were among people who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. 

Q: How do I avoid distancing a vaccine-hesitant friend or family member?

Dr. Reggi: Center your vaccine-hesitant friend or family member’s experiences, beliefs, and values during the conversation. If the vaccine-hesitant person is your co-parent or a primary medical decision-maker in the family, encourage them to join you for medical appointments with a list of their questions or concerns. 

While some people may not prioritize vaccines for themselves, it can be helpful to appeal to the common good of a larger group: a family, household, school, workplace, neighborhood, or community. Vaccines offer protection to those who cannot get vaccinated due to age or medical reasons. For example, when people gather indoors, such as at a holiday party or sporting event, infants too young to be vaccinated or people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of contracting vaccine-preventable illnesses. Getting vaccinated can help protect these vulnerable groups. 

Some people may view vaccines as part of their overall health and wellness as opposed to an individual protective measure against a specific viral or bacterial disease. Those who value nutritious food and an active lifestyle may identify as people focused on their health. It can be useful to package vaccines into their overall well-being goals. Like injury prevention (such as helmets and seatbelts), vaccines are safety measures. 

Vaccines can save time and economic resources by reducing missed days of childcare, school, or work, as well as medical costs, because they prevent disease, lessen the severity of symptoms, and limit risk for hospitalization.

Q:  What reputable sources can I refer loved ones to for information about vaccines?

Dr. Reggi: It can be helpful to share objective, evidence-based information alongside personal stories and experiences. My favorite sources for science-backed vaccine information are:

• CDC
• HealthyChildren.org (the American Academy of Pediatrics)
• Your local public health department
• Your doctor or other healthcare provider
• Your child’s school nurse

You can also share impactful vaccine-related stories or anecdotes. Organizations like Ian’s Rainbow Flu Foundation and the American Society for Meningitis Prevention are good sources (although these stories can be difficult to read). 

Stories from our daily lives can help others picture themselves in similar situations. Talk about when your teenager felt strongly about getting the COVID-19 vaccine or when your child’s school nurse was compassionate while answering questions about the HPV vaccine. Maybe your kindergartner missed a week of school because of flu complications, such as pneumonia. When we share our own hesitations or worries and get vulnerable about how we worked through them, it helps others move away from all-or-none thinking.

Thank you, Dr. Reggi! 

Learn more about routine and recommended childhood vaccinations at Healthier Generation’s Vaccine Resource Hub.

Check out more from our Ask a Doctor series.