Discussing pediatric vaccination with vaccine-hesitant parents

Robert Frenck, MD, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Director of Vaccine Research at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, recently addressed the challenges surrounding pediatric COVID-19 vaccination rates. Frenck highlighted the efficacy of vaccines and the critical role healthcare providers play in promoting vaccination among children.

“One of the frustrating things is that I've worked doing COVID vaccines for a couple years... and we have very effective COVID-19 vaccines that just aren't being used,” said Frenck. He emphasized the misconception that COVID-19 poses little risk to children.

“If you look at the incidence of hospitalization for COVID, the two highest groups are kids 0 to 4 years of age and 85 years of age and above. And so that if we're going to immunize anyone, and I think we should immunize everyone, but if we're going to immunize anyone, you want to really focus on that 0 to 4 and 85 and above," he said.

Frenck stressed the importance of using a strong, prescriptive approach when discussing vaccines with parents.

“The most important thing you can do is to have a very strong message," such as, "'I highly recommend you vaccinate your family.' If you go in with that presumptive approach that vaccines are the normative choice, a lot of research has shown that 80-85% of parents will say 'okay.'”

He contrasted this with a more open-ended approach, which often leads to greater parental hesitancy.

Frenck also underscored the need for healthcare providers to actively listen to parents’ concerns. “'Tell me what worries you, tell me what concerns you, tell me what information you need to have to make sure you understand,'” he advised. By understanding the root of parental hesitancy, providers can tailor their responses effectively.

Despite the challenges, Frenck reminded providers of their pivotal role in guiding families.

“We have to remember as healthcare providers is that people are coming to us because they trust us.” He encouraged empathy and patience when addressing vaccine hesitancy, adding, “It may be that today you're not ready to say yes yet, and that's okay. Rather than make people feel guilty, say, 'okay, I can see you're not ready today. Go home, think about it. Let’s talk about it next time.'”