Pediatricians Shift Tactics to Sway Vaccine Skeptical Parents

In pediatricians’ offices across the country, doctors are increasingly confronting concerns from parents about vaccines that for decades have protected children from serious and sometimes deadly diseases.

Vaccine hesitancy is nothing new. But physicians say this skepticism has gained new momentum in recent years as vaccine misinformation has become widespread on social media, and as more Americans have become distrustful of the medical establishment.

The New York Times spoke to pediatricians across the country who said they were looking for better ways to address these concerns and, ultimately, get more children vaccinated. Some have focused on explaining the immediate risks of foregoing specific vaccines, or have started sharing nongovernment resources that parents may be more likely to trust. Others are now scheduling additional appointments in their already-crammed days in order to continue these difficult conversations.

“There are times where I’ll say, ‘I’d like to bring you back to talk more about this,’ and schedule a visit specifically to talk about what they’re worried about,” said Dr. Marina Jeffery, a family medicine physician in Monroe, La.

Dr. Jeffery and others said that despite the increase in vaccine hesitancy, they have found some success in easing fears, and that many skeptical parents do go on to vaccinate their children.