Locations:
Search IconSearch

How To Talk to Someone About Vaccine Hesitancy

Embarrassing or shaming often makes people defensive, which makes change more unlikely

A person looking at their phone with a concerned and curious look on their face

Polio. Measles. Whooping cough. Mumps. It seems like every day we’re hearing about new outbreaks of preventable infectious diseases. As more and more people opt out of vaccinations, herd immunity diminishes. And in the case of viruses like COVID-19, that raises the specter of new and more dangerous variants emerging. It also increases the chances of diseases we’ve eradicated, like smallpox, coming back.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Some people can’t be vaccinated due to medical issues or religious beliefs, but most people who aren’t vaccinated don’t fall into either of those categories. They are either reluctant about or opposed to being vaccinated.

That choice puts all of us at risk, but it’s especially dangerous for those who can’t get vaccinated — they have to rely exclusively on herd immunity to keep them protected.

Vaccine hesitancy is a complex problem. So, how do we solve it? What can we say or do to help sway uncertain friends or family members? Behavioral health therapist Kathy Barringer, LPCC, and infectious disease expert Steven Mawhorter, MD, discuss how to approach this situation with understanding, kindness and respect.

Aim for the middle ground

There are two ends of the spectrum when it comes to addressing vaccine hesitancy.

On one side, you have those who are fearful, doubtful or have questions. Among all the different COVID-19 vaccines, annual flu vaccines, new vaccines coming out for other conditions like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and still other vaccines in various stages of development, there’s a lot of information out there. Maybe all of the changing guidelines around COVID-19 vaccination made them nervous, or perhaps they’re on the fence about receiving vaccines because of possible side effects.

Advertisement

On the other end of the spectrum are those who’ve already made up their minds and are dead set against receiving either a specific vaccine, or any vaccine at all.

Barringer says it’s best to focus your time and attention on those people in the middle of the spectrum. Those with a fixed mindset about the vaccine aren’t likely to be swayed, no matter how logical, factual or respectful you are. But people in the middle group tend to fall in the “wait and see” category, or simply need more information from a trusted source or individual.

These people in the middle territory are truly vaccine hesitant and might need more time, more information or more assurance.

Try to understand people’s doubts

“All hesitancy isn’t created equal,” says Barringer. “Some people are absolutely terrified of needles or side effects like vomiting. Others might be hesitating because they don’t have access to a nearby clinic. Some people might have doubts for political reasons.”

It’s important to remember that there are a variety of reasons for someone to be uncertain about vaccines. It’s normal and perfectly OK to have questions or concerns.

Discussions about vaccine hesitancy shouldn’t be about judgment, Barringer notes. It’s about meeting the person where they are and then reassuring, educating and ultimately helping them get vaccinated. Your goal of speaking to someone about the vaccine isn’t to debate or win an argument.

Many times, fear means there’s a lack of information. For example, if you find out that a friend or family member is fearful of the COVID-19 vaccine, try to get to the root of what’s causing that fear. Are they worried that it could have a long-term effect? Are they afraid because of how quickly the vaccines were developed? Are they uncertain because they don’t know what’s in them? Have they been misinformed?

These kinds of questions apply for all different kinds of vaccines, from established vaccines like measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) to brand new ones, like the one for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), to older vaccines that are helping deal with new infections, as is the case with the smallpox vaccine and Mpox.

Knowing the source of someone’s fear can help you tailor your message and get them the information they need. But it’s important to remember to not be condescending about the person’s fear or concern. You may be fully vaccinated and well-informed, but that doesn’t mean everyone else has the same experience or even the same resources as you.

As you may already know, there are a lot of conspiracy theories and myths around vaccines. The person you’re speaking with may mention that they’re concerned about the jab changing their DNA, implanting a tracking chip or causing autism spectrum disorder. You already know that’s not true (because it isn’t), but it’s important that you respond to those kinds of concerns carefully. Your first instinct might be to roll your eyes, but that will likely make the person feel defensive.

Advertisement

“Making people feel ashamed or embarrassed only makes them less likely to change,” states Barringer. “Instead, reference trusted health experts or sources when discussing their fear and why something they’ve heard may or may not be true.”

Also, be careful not to push your own opinions or beliefs too strongly during the discussion, especially if it’s the first of several conversations. Ask the vaccine-hesitant person open-ended questions about why they feel the way they do and where they got their information from. For example, you could say “Tell me what you think about the [X] vaccine?” And “Why do you feel this way?”

When they answer, really listen to what they’re saying before you respond. When you do, mention your reasons for getting vaccinated and why you chose to. Everyone’s vaccine story is personal.

Know your audience

One of the best things you can do when addressing vaccine hesitancy is to share your own experience with friends and family. But before you do, it’s important to know your audience and what you should or shouldn’t share.

“If I’m talking to someone who’s really afraid of vaccine side effects, I’m not going to go into great detail about how crummy I felt after my flu shot,” explains Barringer. “I’m not going to lie to the person, but I’m not going to scare them in the opposite direction either.”

Advertisement

Instead, you could mention that side effects mean that the vaccine is triggering an immune system response in your body — it legitimately means it’s working. Or if you know that the person you’re speaking with is afraid of needles, you could mention that you were also nervous about the jab, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as you had anticipated.

Dr. Mawhorter adds that giving the person something positive to do can give them a stronger sense of personal control over the whole process. For example, taking acetaminophen (Tylenol®) two or three times a day (as prescribed) for two or three days after getting a vaccine can take the edge off some of those symptoms.

Knowing your audience and what about vaccinations the person is afraid of or concerned about is crucial for determining what you say to them — or even how you explain something.

Here’s an example explanation: The vaccine acts like a quiz and the disease is the final exam. In this case, taking the quiz (the vaccine) means you don’t have to take the final exam.

If the person is very political, it’s best to steer clear of any mention of politics and instead try to focus on vaccines as a major health issue and a concern for our health systems. If the conversation starts to turn emotional or aggressive, diffuse the tension by either walking away or mention that you can pick up the discussion at another time.

Advertisement

On the flip side of knowing your audience, you also need to know yourself. If you aren’t getting through to someone and the situation is getting intense or awkward, turn your attention inward to your own behavior and what you can control. There are plenty of things you can do to help prevent the spread of disease:

  • Wash your hands.
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm.
  • Wear a mask if you’re feeling unwell or want to spend time with somebody who’s at high risk for complications from illnesses like the flu, RSV or COVID-19.

How do vaccines affect public health?

Dr. Mawhorter likes to explain why the vaccines are an important tool for improving public health by using an analogy about driving a car:

Hand washing, wearing a face mask and maintaining distance from others is like defensive driving. Vaccines work like a seatbelt: They are very effective but need to be worn in order to work. Medication acts like the airbag, but it only helps you after ‘impact,’ meaning after the illness occurs. The illness is like a person who runs the red light as you’re moving through the intersection. If you get hit, you have all three safety tools working together to avoid the most damage.

He likes this analogy because it reinforces the value of getting diagnostic testing as soon as possible after symptoms appear, especially for individuals who are unvaccinated. Treatment of influenza (with oseltamivir/Tamiflu®) or COVID-19 (with Paxlovid or Remdesivir) can reduce viral shedding — that means reducing the chances you’ll pass your illness along to someone else.

Misinformation, the COVID-19 pandemic, caution fatigue, access issues and a general lack of knowledge about how vaccines are made and how they work has created a perfect storm for vaccine hesitancy.

When people who can be vaccinated aren’t, it impacts herd immunity and puts us all at greater risk. That’s why it’s crucial that we continue to get as many people vaccinated as possible.

“You can’t tell that a person has a weak immune system by looking them,” Dr. Mawhorter reminds us. “Healthy people choosing to be vaccinated is a sincere form of kindness to our neighbors with immune system challenges.”

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Person lying in bed on their side at night with their eyes open
December 17, 2024/Primary Care
Prednisone Side Effects and How To Feel Better When Taking Steroids

Like any medication, prednisone can come with side effects — for best results, take it with food in the morning and work with your provider to get the dosage right

Healthcare provider applying a bandage on arm of person after injecting a shot
December 16, 2024/Primary Care
Recommended Vaccines for Adults and Seniors

From influenza and COVID-19 to pneumococcal, shingles and more, vaccines help keep you healthy

Hands selecting medicine from shelves of medicines
December 4, 2024/Primary Care
How Do Medicines Get Their Names?

Drugmakers put a lot of effort and resources into finding the right name for generic and brand medications

Hands holding two different kinds of pain medications separated by a white line
November 29, 2024/Primary Care
Can You Take Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Together?

You can alternate these OTCs to help with pain management and fever reduction

Glass of water on table, with medicine bottle of purple capsules, and capsules on table
November 27, 2024/Infectious Disease
Can Melatonin Help Treat COVID-19?

Studies have shown promising results, but additional research is needed

Older male reclining on couch, blowing nose, with cold medications and products on coffee table
What’s the Difference Between Walking Pneumonia and Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is milder and doesn’t always require medication — but it’s also highly contagious

Healthcare provider examining person's throat in office, with oversized germs around
November 21, 2024/Infectious Disease
How Laryngitis and COVID-19 Can Impact Your Voice

Infection and inflammation can cause you to lose your voice and have other voice changes until you’re fully healed

Smiling new parents holding swaddled newborn baby
November 20, 2024/Pregnancy & Childbirth
Newborn Coming Into Your Life? Here’s What Vaccines You Should Get

Baby’s caregivers should be up-to-date on flu, COVID-19 and Tdap vaccines to protect the newborn in their lives

Trending Topics

Person sitting on floor at night next to bed in deep thought, with partner sleeping in bed
Understanding Mental Load: What It Is and How It Affects You

When you get bogged down with mental tasks, you can experience mood changes, sleeplessness and more

Hands holding two different kinds of pain medications separated by a white line
Can You Take Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Together?

You can alternate these OTCs to help with pain management and fever reduction

Smiling person with headphones on, sweeping floor in living room
Understanding Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT Exercise)

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis is all the activity we do that’s not technically exercise but is still important to your health and well-being

Ad