COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: 10 tips for talking with patients – American Medical Association

The data is clear: Americans arent getting their updated COVID-19 shots. According to the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just 14% of Americans received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of Nov. 4.

And its not just COVID-19 vaccines that are lagging. The CDC says just 37.5% of American adults have received their flu shot so far. Uptake of the vaccine that prevents RSV is below par, toowith only 15.9% of those older 60 have received an RSV vaccine.

Physicians can help boost those numbers among the majority of patients who are not implacably opposed to vaccination, but who just have not made the effort or who have some questions.

How we talk about vaccines with patients is very individual and its very personal. That is part of the beauty of the personal relationship with patients. The most important thing is bringing it up and having that chance to talk about it and having that chance to give your advice and your recommendation to the patient. And, of course, being open to their questions, said Frederick M. Chen, MD, MPH, the AMAs chief health and science officer.

People do have a choice. They have a decision to make about it, but part of our job is being there at the right time for them and helping them make those decisions, Dr. Chen added.

Internist Marie T. Brown, MD, the AMA's director of practice redesign, discussed strategies during a recent AMA webinar, "Vaccinations: Roadmap for Success."She also joined infectious disease specialist Constance A. Benson, MD, a professor of medicine and global public health at University of California, San Diego, in discussing tips during anAMA video interview in 2021.

Here are 10 key tips for talking with your patients.

Know you are the most trusted information source

Its not the celebrity doctors or doctors sharing information on social media that patients trust for information. Its their local doctor, according to recent research that a group of about a dozen physicians and other health-related organizations, including the AMA, conducted as part of an effort to mitigate the spread of medical misinformation.

Despite the burnout physicians may feel, data shows they can be effective in countering vaccine misinformation. KFF research has found that a person's own physician is the most trusted source for information on the COVID-19 vaccine, with 85% of respondents holding this belief no matter their gender, sex, ethnicity or political belief.

Tell patients they need to get the vaccine

Adult patients say the second biggest reason they don't get an immunization is that a "doctor hasn't told me I need it," previously published research has shown.

Dr. Chen said: As doctors, we know that, but sometimes we forget we have to actually say it and recommend it.

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Understand your patients' concerns

Some patients from historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups may be hesitant because of mistrust in the medical community stemming from their own or loved ones experiences with systemic racism in health care. Physicians should try to build trust, recognizing what has happened so they can then move forward.

Ask why a patient is hesitant

If someone declines the vaccine, you can say, "May I ask why? What have you heard in your community?" It is a less judgmental way to find out what they may be thinking, giving patients the opportunity to give frank voice to concerns they might have while attributing them to others.

Counter any misinformation

People hear and see a lot of misinformation in their social circles and on social media. As a physician, you need to correct any misinformation a patient may give for not getting the vaccine.

Tailor your message

To reach people, no matter their political viewor whether they believe a vaccine is a personal choice or collective responsibilityfocus the discussion on how getting a vaccine can help protect a loved one such as a grandparent, a child or someone who is immunocompromised.

Address patients' fears about side effects

Start a conversation by asking a patient how they felt after their last vaccination. Generally speaking, people tend to have the same reaction they had with the last vaccine, or even a milder reaction than the last one.

Prepare your staff to answer questions

Stay updated with the AMA COVID-19 resource center for physicians, which among other things highlights resources available as part of the Department of Health and Human Services We Can Do This public education campaign to boost confidence in COVID-19 vaccination and reinforce basic prevention measures.

Show your vaccination pride

Everyone in your office who is vaccinated canwear a button or stickershowing they received their updated COVID-19 vaccine, reinforcing to people that the vaccine is safe and that you trust in it.

Tell stories to make impact

The public tends to weigh risks and benefits differently than physicians do, so telling stories that illustrate why the vaccine is important will have a stronger impact on patients.

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COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: 10 tips for talking with patients - American Medical Association