The Turnstone: talking about vaccines #7

Wrapping it up (4 minute read)

Welcome to The Turnstone. For the last two weeks, I have been sharing resources to help you have kind and non-judgemental conversations with people who are uncertain about, or opposed to, vaccination. To wrap up these two weeks, I share a few insights that I’ve picked up in the course of my reading on the subject of vaccination. I’ve also included some particularly useful resources related to those insights – some I’ve shared before and some new.

Next Sunday, I’m taking a break from talking about vaccination to discuss predator control and conservation in New Zealand. However, I’ll continue to share resources to help you have better conversations about vaccines each Wednesday afternoon. You can subscribe and have every post sent directly to you.

Understand the reasons people may decide not to get vaccinated

There are many reasons people may not yet be vaccinated against Covid-19. The easiest way to summarise these reasons is: they don’t trust the vaccine, they don’t think they need the vaccine and it’s too difficult for them to get the vaccine. And don’t forget that a very small number of people have medical reasons that they shouldn’t get the vaccine, such as a history of severe allergic reactions to any of the vaccine ingredients.

My top recommendation for understanding vaccine hesitancy – Why some people don't want a Covid-19 vaccine (8 minute read)

Listen to understand and support

It helps to take time to listen to people’s concerns. Reflect them back to show you’ve heard. Ask questions to better understand. It’s no good sharing facts about vaccine safety when the problem is that someone is too stressed about finding the time to go and get vaccinated. And people don’t care what you know until they know you care.

My top recommendation for how to have a conversation about vaccination – How to talk about COVID-19 vaccines with friends and family (3 minute read)

Let people know that you’ve been vaccinated

Conversations with friends and family can be an important part of what motivates people to get vaccinated. Hearing that it’s gone ok for you can be reassuring. Knowing that you want them to get vaccinated because you care about their health, and the health of other family members, can help too.

My top recommendation for understanding what motivates people – Here's What Will Actually Convince People to Get Vaccinated (4 minute read)

Don’t over-simplify or over-reassure

Messages like “the vaccine is safe and effective” can backfire. No medicine is 100% safe and 100% effective. Vaccines can have side effects like any other medication. While serious side effects are very rare, they are frightening, and it’s important to acknowledge that point, before you focus on the rarity of those side effects.

My top recommendation for a resource that doesn’t oversimplify the “safe” message –FAQs :: Doctors Stand Up For Vaccination (8 minute read)

My top recommendation for a resource that doesn’t oversimplify the “effective” message – Six Rules That Will Define Our Second Pandemic Winter (12 minute read)

Understand the importance of trust

People with strong anti-vaccine views aren’t stupid or irrational – they don’t trust the people or organisations who are telling them that vaccines are safe. If we want them to listen to us, then it’s crucial that we behave in a trustworthy way ourselves.

My top recommendation for understanding the role of trust – TED talk by Heidi Larson (15 minute video)

Practise “technique rebuttal” on those who are denying the science

When someone is arguing in a way that is counter to the scientific evidence, there are two main ways of rebutting their arguments – focusing on the science, or focusing on the methods that science deniers use. Focusing on the science can be hard if you aren’t an expert, but focusing on the methods, known as “technique rebuttal”, is something anyone can learn.

My top recommendation for technique rebuttal – How to Debate a Science Denier - Scientific American (5 minute read)

Maintain your compassion

It’s easy to become frustrated when someone doesn’t want to do something that you believe is important for their health, and the health of those around them. But if your frustration comes out in your conversation with them, it’s not helping anyone. Remember the goal – protecting as many people as possible from Covid-19.

My top recommendation for maintaining compassion – I Was An ‘Anti-Vaxxer.’ This Year, I Changed My Mind (6 minute read)

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