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Lets Talk About Pediatric Vaccines
Let’s Talk About Pediatric Vaccines: A Conversation From Start to Finish

Released: June 01, 2026

Mary Koslap-Petraco
Mary Koslap-Petraco, DNP, PPCNP, CPNP, FAANP
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Key Takeaways
  • A presumptive approach can help start vaccine discussions.
  • Answering questions with empathy can prevent parents and caregivers from getting defensive and can keep the conversation going.
  • Storytelling with personal anecdotes can be more effective than simply providing facts.

To practice talking to the parent mentioned in this ClinicalThought through an interactive case simulation, click here. To see other interactive cases about vaccine communication, click here.

Initiating Vaccine Discussions With Uncertain Parents and Caregivers
Navigating vaccine discussions with concerned parents and caregivers can be challenging. I’ve found that using a presumptive approach when I am offering vaccines is helpful with initiating the conversation and increasing acceptance.

For the case of a mother bringing in her 12-month-old daughter for a well-child visit, I might open the conversation by saying, "I am so excited your baby is 12 months old today! She is due for a few vaccines: Measles, mumps, and rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis A, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and the pneumococcal vaccine. What questions do you have about those?" 

Then, I wait to hear the response. If they are uncertain, I praise them for wanting the very best for their baby and ask their permission to tell them what I know about the vaccines. I also say, "You and I are on the same wavelength here. We want exactly the same thing. We want the very best for your child, for them to grow up safe and healthy." This method is effective for keeping the conversation going, as I have never had someone refuse additional discussion. I have also observed that people react better to storytelling than facts. I often tell people about my sister, who has lifelong immune problems from having had measles at 6 years of age.

Addressing Concerns With Empathy
One common concern parents and caregivers have is the number of vaccines given at once. I find that an empathetic approach works best here. I affirm people’s care for their baby’s health and make sure to ask for their permission to share what I know. I tell them, "Did you know that your baby is exposed to more proteins just by being born than they are from all of the vaccines that we give?" I also mention that years ago, vaccines were not as purified as they are now.

In a similar vein, I think it is important to discuss vaccine aftereffects. I do not like to call them side effects, as they are actually expected effects in many cases. I tell parents what to expect, and I reassure them that a fever or redness around the injection site is normal. I explain that mild symptoms like fever can occur as the immune system responds to the vaccine, but I also emphasize that not all children will have these symptoms, and that doesn’t mean the vaccine isn’t working. I tell them not to be afraid if the baby is fussy, and that a fever of 101 or 102 degrees is tolerable. I also reassure them that if the baby is uncomfortable, they can give ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lower the baby's temperature. Immunize.org has an outstanding post-vaccine teaching sheet that I like to give to people to take home. 

Oftentimes, people will reference something they saw online when they bring up a concern. Rather than dismiss their concerns, I say, "Wow, that is a really interesting website. How about we look at that together?" That validation is very empowering, without necessarily reaffirming any of the misinformation or disinformation they might have seen. Many times, I can point to things that indicate that it is not a reliable website. True, this interaction rarely happens in 5 minutes. It is very time-consuming, but it is worth it and necessary. I conclude by asking, "Have I answered all of your questions?" If they say no, I continue to answer their questions in a respectful manner until they are done. 

Ensuring Follow-up
Most of the time, we all win, because the baby gets vaccinated. However, if the parent or caregiver declines a vaccine, I offer them resources to take home, and I suggest websites for them to continue to do their own research.

Some of my favorite websites to suggest are:

  • Vaccinate Your Family (because it is written for laypeople, visually beautiful, and easy to search)
  • American Academy of Pediatrics (for short-form videos about why we need to vaccinate)
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center (for videos showing how vaccines work)
  • NAPNAP

Finally, I acknowledge that I understand they want to wait. However, I make it a point to schedule a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks. I ask, “Do I have your permission to discuss the vaccines again?" I have never had someone say no to me.

Your Thoughts
What strategies have you had success with during vaccine discussions? What are some parent/caregiver concerns that you have not had success addressing? Leave a comment to join the discussion!

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