Talking with parents who are ready to vaccinate

How to recognise parents who are ready to vaccinate

Parents who are ready to vaccinate:

usually present seeking vaccination at or near the recommended milestone
may have process-oriented questions including what to expect during and in the days after the consultation
may want information about managing common reactions and when to seek medical advice
may not know what the vaccines are for
may want information to help them answer questions from friends or relatives
may have questions about safety
may have questions about the ingredients in the vaccines
may have questions about their child’s immune system and whether it can manage multiple vaccines

Tips for supporting parents who are ready to vaccinate

Consultations with parents who are ready to vaccinate are usually straightforward. A positive interaction with a health professional can reinforce parents’ confidence in vaccination; negative or dismissive interactions may contribute to the development of hesitance.

The process we recommend below is designed to prevent hesitance and facilitate valid consent. Valid consent requires parents to

be competent to make the decision
be provided with sufficient information
understand the information provided
and be able to act freely and voluntarily.

Parents do not need all the available information about a vaccine to achieve valid consent. Therefore, you are only obliged (legally and ethically) to provide information that is material (of value or importance) to the parent. This is best achieved through an interaction with parents that enables you to identify what is material to the parent⁴.

< Elicit questions

Elicit questions

“What questions do you have today?”

“Do you have some questions?”

Inviting and addressing parents’ questions supports their sense of agency and facilitates valid consent⁵. Accepting their questions² enables you to identify their concerns, build trust, and provide them with the information that is material to them. This can help prevent concerns from escalating into hesitancy³.

Some parents need permission to express and explore their concerns². Asking a positively framed question such as “Do you have some questions?” has been found to reduce unmet patient concerns when compared with the more familiar “Do you have any questions?” perhaps because this negatively framed question signals the end of a consultation⁵.

Resources

Influenza

At birth

6 weeks

4 months

6 months

12 months

18 months

4 years

Video explainers

< Share knowledge about immunisation

Provide information

“There are some things we can to do make vaccination easier for Zac.”

“Aisha might feel mildly unwell in the days after vaccination, but most don’t children have any noticeable reaction at all. After we vaccinate her, I can give you some information to help you look after her if she does feel unwell.”

Parents who feel their questions have been dismissed by health professionals may be more vulnerable to misinformation³. Using the baby’s name reassures parents that your recommendation is tailored to the needs of their child.

Vaccinate, then book next appointment

“Let’s book the next appointment before you leave today to be sure Dylan gets the next dose on time.”

Booking an appointment for the next dose and sending parents reminders results in more timely vaccination uptake⁶. It may also reduce the risk of days spent under-vaccinated.

Resources

Influenza

At birth

6 weeks

4 months

6 months

12 months

18 months

4 years

Department of Health Immunisation Reaction Checklist

Optional vaccinations

Vaccinations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Risk infographics

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