Vaccinations continued…

Trying to change the mind of a family member who is reluctant to get vaccinated for COVID-19, can be challenging at best. Rupali J. Limaye, PhD, director of behavioral and implementation science at International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, offers this advice.

• START FROM A POINT OF EMPATHY

Statements like “I don’t want to lose you.”

• LISTEN DON’T LECTURE

Try to find out what the real problem is. Remember, listening leads to trust.

• SHARE YOUR OWN ISSUES AND ANXIETIES

It’s important to acknowledge that all of us have been uncertain about what to do at times – all of us have had difficult decisions to make.

• REDIRECT THE CONVERSATION

If the family member is spouting misinformation, don’t correct them, instead pivot to “I’m not sure – but this is how I interpret the information.”

• USE EXAMPLES THAT ARE RELEVENT TO THE RELUCTANT ONE

“Think about grandma – if she gets COVID she could die.”

• KEEP YOUR COOL

The worst thing is to get emotional