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“Why Do I Need This Shot?” Nuanced Ways to Navigate a Common Question

Clinical Thought

It can be difficult to convince patients to start annual vaccinations if they have not been in the habit of getting them. “Why do I need it?” can seem like a deceptively simple question, but it doesn’t have to be! Read on to learn how I approach this common vaccine counseling scenario.

Released: June 17, 2026

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Faculty

Richard Zimmerman

Richard Zimmerman, MD, MPH, MA

Vice Chair of Research
Professor of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology
Center for Vaccine Research
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Provided by

Provided by Clinical Care Options, LLC dba Decera Clinical Education

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Supporters

This educational activity is supported by independent medical education grants from GSK, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and Sanofi.

GSK

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA

Sanofi

Target Audience

This activity is intended for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, pharmacists, and nurses, including primary care providers and specialists, who are involved in providing vaccine services.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Advise patients and caregivers about vaccine safety to alleviate common concerns about vaccines and their components

  • Provide tailored, evidence-based messaging strategies for each individual when recommending vaccines

  • Demonstrate respectful counseling techniques when responding to vaccine misinformation and disinformation

  • Integrate clear and accessible analogies when explaining the purposes and benefits of vaccination to diverse audiences

Financial Disclosures

Primary Author

Richard Zimmerman, MD, MPH, MA: consultant/advisor/speaker: Merck, Sanofi Pasteur; researcher: Merck, Sanofi Pasteur.