ARTICLE
If you want to encourage someone to get vaccinated, what’s the best way to have that conversation? First, remember that getting vaccinated is a personal decision and you may not be able to change someone else’s mind. It may take more than one attempt, so it’s important to keep the lines of communication open. Here are some pointers for having an effective conversation with family, friends and co-workers. Avoid judgment and listen first. Start by asking why the person is hesitant and listen to identify the root of their concerns. There are a number of reasons why people are hesitant to get vaccinated. Some of these reasons may seem reasonable to you and others may not. Regardless of how you feel, judging, belittling or saying what they believe is ridiculous (even if you think so) will not make anyone change their mind or address their concerns. Start by acknowledging their concerns so they know they have been heard. Ask open-ended questions and provide fact-based answers. By asking questions like “What do you think will happen if you get vaccinated?” you find out much more about what the person believes. For example, you may discover it’s simply a fear of the unknown. There has been a lot of information and misinformation shared about the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccinations. Ask follow-up questions and avoid making assumptions. Share fact-based information, such as the number of people who have already been safely vaccinated. Share your own reason for getting vaccinated and personal experience. People are more likely to share information when it’s a two-way street. Share your own experience with getting vaccinated or the experience of a family member or friend you both know. Share your reasons for getting vaccinated, such as to protect family and friends, to be less anxious or to resume activities in public. To work on various projects throughout the region. By sharing your views, you may steer someone toward finding their “why” for getting vaccinated. Help make their vaccination happen. Once someone decides on their “why,” help them make a commitment to get vaccinated. Help make the path to vaccination shorter, easier, and less stressful for them. Offer to help your family member or friend make a vaccination appointment at a location nearby and, if needed, go with them to the appointment. Offer to help with transportation or to babysit if they need childcare. Remember, every person who chooses to get vaccinated brings us all a step closer to moving past the COVID-19 pandemic. As a trusted messenger to your family and friends, you can play a role in their decision to vaccinate. In all of these conversations, the goal is to empower people to make the decision to get vaccinated because they believe it’s the right thing to do and the best choice for them. Remember that we’re all in this together, and even if we don’t initially have the same viewpoint, we can still end up in the same place – vaccinated and getting back to normal