How can I effectively manage vaccine hesitancy among parents in my practice?

To effectively manage vaccine hesitancy among parents in your general practice, engage in open, empathetic conversations that allow parents to express their concerns and questions about vaccination. Provide clear, tailored information about the benefits of vaccines, emphasising their role in preventing serious illnesses such as meningitis in young children, and reassure parents about the safety profile of vaccines, noting that serious adverse effects are very rare and usually mild symptoms like pain or fever can be managed with paracetamol or ibuprofen if needed ¹,⁴.

Use written materials and reputable online resources such as the NHS website and Public Health England leaflets (e.g., "What to expect after vaccinations") to support verbal explanations and help parents make informed decisions ¹,⁴.

Identify and address specific barriers to vaccination uptake by considering social, cultural, and language factors, especially in groups known to have lower vaccine uptake such as some minority ethnic families, new migrants, or those with learning disabilities. Tailor service accessibility by offering flexible appointment times, multiple booking options, and vaccination clinics in community or faith centres to improve convenience and trust ².

Ensure healthcare staff are well-trained to have sensitive, personalised discussions about vaccines, including understanding contraindications and how to manage needle phobia or sensory impairments, which can help overcome individual hesitancy ².

Use prompts and reminders in patient records to identify children overdue for vaccinations and offer opportunistic vaccination during consultations, encouraging parents to accept vaccination or book appointments promptly ².

In cases of parental refusal, assess the child’s capacity to consent in line with legal and ethical guidance, and provide catch-up vaccination opportunities to ensure children are protected ².

Recent umbrella reviews highlight that vaccine hesitancy is multifactorial, influenced by trust, misinformation, and perceived risks. Therefore, building trust through consistent, transparent communication and addressing misinformation directly is crucial (Rahbeni et al., 2024).