- Identify and address hesitancy in populations and subgroups 
- Be sure all health care professionals know about and use the best immunization practices to create a unified message 
- Use specific evidence based strategies that increase uptake
- Communicate effectively and proactively
- Collaborate with local religious and community leaders to enhance credibility of pro-vaccine messages 


Saint Louis University

Health care workers and immunization program managers should recognize and address vaccination hesitancy at all levels while actively supporting immunization acceptors in order to build and support a community of immunization acceptors. 
- Accepting vaccines does not necessarily mean hesitancy does not exist, so setting the social environment to accept vaccination is important. 
- Specific complex strategies are more effective than single interventions addressed towards a broad population. 
- Respecting and empathizing with those with different perspectives on immunizations are important regardless of the environment of the conversation (online, one one one in a clinic, or at a social event). This is because people are unlikely to change their opinions because someone is arguing aggressively with them. 


Solutions regarding knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, and how to increase vaccine uptake 

MacDonald NE, Butler R, Dubé E. Addressing barriers to vaccine acceptance: an overview. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2018;14(1):218-224. doi:10.1080/21645515.2017.1394533

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5791591/

Addressing barriers to vaccine acceptance: an overview

Program focused strategies regarding knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, and how to increase vaccine uptake 

- Ensure health care workers know their impact on vaccine decision making
- Don’t dismiss someone from the practice because they are hesitant or a vaccine refuser
- Use presumptive approach rather participatory approach 
- Motivational interviewing may provide new insight 
- Use clear language when explaining and keep in mind technical jargon can be confusing
- More effective to frame messages in terms of gains over losses 
- Reinforce the importance of the added value of community protection 
- Address fear of needles and pain 


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