How to help people make vaccination decisions

November 30, 2023 5:37 AM

I'm looking for examples of great decision making tools to help patients decide whether to get a vaccination for themselves or to make decisions for others (children). Ideally, I'd love to see examples that are respectful of the culture and choices of the patient. Thank you!
posted by papergirl to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

My midwife linked me to the BRAIN worksheet when we were discussing getting the (brand new at the time) covid vaccine during my pregnancy and my partner was hesitant. We thought it was a useful tool and it helped my partner become more comfortable with the decision.
posted by randomnity at 5:58 AM on November 30, 2023

Examples of horrible decision aids are also welcome!
posted by papergirl at 6:39 AM on November 30, 2023

Some people don't get vaccinated because they know it doesn't prevent illness completely, but even reducing the symptoms can be helpful to others as well to ourselves.

Example: My spouse had terminal colon cancer, and I was his caregiver. He got the vaccine, and so did I. When he went into the hospital briefly for a procedure, I somehow got COVID (I suspect because the nurses weren't masking at the station), but he didn't. Because I had been vaccinated, my symptoms were mild and (though I had to sleep in another room and mask meticulously around him) was still able to take care of him.
posted by Peach at 6:59 AM on November 30, 2023

Voices for Vaccines is a pro-vaccination advocacy group that has Vaccine Quest, an educational course that walks through the science and information behind vaccines. They also have a vaccine advocacy toolkit that has some good tips about walking through questions and evaluating information in a collaborative way.
posted by arachnidette at 4:11 PM on November 30, 2023

Talk to a doctor.
posted by TurkishGolds at 5:23 AM on December 2, 2023