Addressing Vaccine Hestiancy In Immunisation Programs, Clinics And Practices

Question 1

What are the 5 steps to addressing vaccine hesitancy?

Answer 1

1. Detect and address vaccine-hesitant subgroups
2. Educate all HCP involved with immunisations on best practices
3. Utilizing evidence-based strategies known to increase vaccine uptake
4. Educate children, youth, adults on the importance of immunisation for health
5. Work collaboratively

Question 2

How can vaccine hesitant subgroups be detected?

Answer 2

1. Searchable immunisation databases
2. Flag EMRs if under immunised for HCPs
3. Survey tools to identify vaccine hesitant parents

Question 3

How do HCP believes on immunisation impact patients

Answer 3

If HCP underimmunised: patients less likely to accept vaccines, less likely to be able to convince parents to vaccinate

Question 4

What type of communication is important when addressing vaccine hesitant parents?

Answer 4

Consistent, accurate information about safety and benefits

Respectful and positive communication

Question 5

What is considered to be important when discussing vaccines with families?

Answer 5

1. Best practices of immunisation.
2. Specific and serious risk of VPDs
3. Possible vaccine side effects
4. Canada’s adverse event surveillance systems
5. Clear language - with positive framing, presumptive approaches
6. Motivational interviewing
7. Pain mitigation techniques

Question 6

What are evidence based strategies to increase vaccine uptake

Answer 6

1. Target under-immunised subgroups with tailored interventions
2. Make vaccine services more convenient and accessible
3. Engage community leaders
4. Reminders via text, email, mail
5. Uniformity of information
6. Promote and use strategies to minimize pain
7. Consider mandates and or incentives for immunisation
8. Build trust between immunisation program and the community

Question 7

How can we educate around the importance of immunisation for health?

Answer 7

1. Pre-test messages and tools to ensure they are efficacious
2. Share “lessons learned” and proven-effective tools and resources
3. Include immunisation in school curriculum
4. Pre-emptively address false claims, refuting potential counter arguments in advance, and highlight tactics used by science deniers

Question 8

Who are the stakeholders in immunisation programs

Answer 8

CPS
Canadian Public Health Association
Religious and cultural leaders