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Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy

CE / CME

Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy: From Concerns to Confidence at the Point of Care

Pharmacists: 0.75 contact hour (0.075 CEUs)

Physicians: maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Nurse Practitioners/Nurses: 0.75 Nursing contact hour

Released: March 06, 2026

Expiration: March 05, 2027

Rupali J. Limaye
Rupali J. Limaye, PhD, MPH, MA
Richard Zimmerman
Richard Zimmerman, MD, MPH, MA
CME/CE Information

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The Vaccine Hesitancy Continuum

Richard Zimmerman, MD, MPH, MA:
We have limited time as HCPs, so how do we best spend this time when vaccinations are due?

To answer this, we must recognize that patients can have a spectrum of belief about vaccines. There are those at one end who are actively seeking vaccination, and the discussions then are very quick about what to do.

On the other end are those who are opposed to any vaccination. For these people, there may be very little to say except to plant the seeds so that perhaps in the future, they will open to the idea of vaccination. Always keep that door open.1

Rupali J. Limaye, PhD, MPH, MA:
There is also a very large group of people who are in the middle of the spectrum in, what I call, the “malleable middle.” These are the people where we have the greatest chance of successfully using the messaging strategies that we will share with you later in this module.

Richard Zimmerman, MD, MPH, MA:
This includes people who are passive acceptors: They may be unsure about a particular vaccine and will need you to address their concerns about that vaccine.

This also includes those who are more hesitant. In these situations, we have to tailor our response to the situation to most increase the possibility of full vaccination.1

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Individual and Group Root Causes of Vaccine Hesitancy

Richard Zimmerman, MD, MPH, MA: 
Understanding the root causes of vaccine hesitancy is important to be able to appropriately address them in your patients. Later in the module, you will learn to ask about people’s concerns, show empathy, and tailor your communication to each person’s specific concerns.

There are those whose past experiences with vaccines are not so good. Patients in this group may think they got sick from a vaccine, for example. There are also societal norms, and indeed, what peers think can be powerful. If one's peer group is against COVID vaccination, it is very difficult to get someone to agree to COVID vaccination.2-4

If people are not in that habit of vaccination, that can be something that we strive to start. It is much more difficult to start patients with annual vaccines if they have not been in the habit of getting them.2-4

Finally, convenience makes a big difference. For instance, waiting an hour in line for a vaccine is not particularly convenient, and that disincentivizes them.2-4

For an example of how to engage with a person who does not see the necessity of vaccination and is in a hurry, view the following demonstration video:

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Vaccine-Specific Root Causes of Vaccine Hesitancy

Richard Zimmerman, MD, MPH, MA:
One vaccine-specific factor that often causes hesitancy is the novelty of the vaccine formulation. This is currently apparent with messenger RNA (mRNA). The mode of vaccine administration and program design can similarly have an impact.2-4

The vaccination schedule has become increasingly complicated. In contrast to the preceding decades, there is now a split between professional societies recommending one vaccination schedule and the CDC recommending a somewhat different schedule. The uncertainty about these differences is another cause for hesitancy.2-4

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Contextual Root Causes of Vaccine Hesitancy

Richard Zimmerman, MD, MPH, MA:
Moving on to contextual root causes of vaccine hesitancy, there are conspiracy theories on the internet and lots of people who are republishing alarmist articles that they never check for accuracy.2-4

Then, there is the influence of religion, culture, gender, and socioeconomic factors. Men, in particular, seem to be more apathetic about vaccines. In addition, certain groups are concerned about the use of cell lines developed from an aborted fetus decades ago in vaccine development.2-4

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