The Power of Confident, Concise and Consistent Recommendations on Adolescent Vaccination

When it comes to adolescent vaccination, healthcare providers play a vital role in shaping public health outcomes. Research shows they are the most trusted and most influential sources for information for parents and adolescents on this topic, but conversations around vaccination can be complicated. During the pandemic and even today, healthcare providers have noticed growing vaccine hesitancy and adolescents who still have not caught up on missed well-visits due to competing priorities. These challenges can create an environment that limits a healthcare provider’s ability to administer care to adolescents and young adults.1, 2

Our newly launched 3Cs initiative aims to help equip healthcare providers with the tools and knowledge necessary to engage in meaningful conversations about adolescent vaccination. By focusing on three fundamental principles – Confident, Concise, Consistent – we can foster a stronger culture of immunization, help protect our communities from preventable diseases, and pave the way for a healthier future for all.

Let’s break it down.

Confident

Confidence is crucial when discussing adolescent vaccination with parents or teens who may be hesitant. By showing a deep understanding of the science behind vaccines, potential side effects, and the benefits of vaccination, healthcare providers can help instill that same confidence in adolescents and their caregivers. Because when caregivers feel confident in their healthcare provider’s recommendations, they are more likely to make informed decisions in favor of adolescent vaccination.

Concise

In today’s fast-paced world, where time is often of the essence and vaccine misinformation is rampant, healthcare providers must master the art of delivering essential information effectively and succinctly. That’s where the power of concise conversations comes into play. When healthcare providers share the key points about vaccination in a clear and concise manner, they can help ensure teens and their caregivers understand the importance of getting vaccinated without overwhelming them.

Consistent

Consistency is the cornerstone of any successful healthcare initiative. When it comes to adolescent vaccination, consistency in communication helps build trust and establish a sense of reliability among parents, caregivers, and teens themselves. Regularly providing accurate and up-to-date information about the benefits of vaccines can help dispel myths and misconceptions, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

By embracing these principles in their daily practice, healthcare providers can strengthen their ability to address vaccine hesitancy, dispel misinformation, and empower teens and their families to make informed decisions about their health.

Ready to put the 3Cs into action? Check out our new, free educational portal filled with training videos for sticky scenarios, and helpful resources designed to help you and your team better support adolescent patients and their caregivers.


Sources:

  1. Griffin, D. S., Muhlbauer, G., & Griffin, D. O. (2018). Adolescents trust physicians for vaccine information more than their parents or religious leaders. Heliyon4(12), e01006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01006
  2. Scherer AM, Gedlinske AM, Parker AM, et al. Acceptability of Adolescent COVID-19 Vaccination Among Adolescents and Parents of Adolescents — United States, April 15–23, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:997–1003. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7028e1

 

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