Vaccine controversy

Specialties NP

Published

As a nurse practitioner for over a decade and a relatively new mom, I have very strong opinions about vaccinations. I have unfortunately seen many vaccine preventable illnesses such as measles, mumps, varicella, rotavirus, HIB and pertussis to name a few. It infuriates me when I hear that people choose not to vaccinate for silly and unfounded reasons.

What are some successful methods you have used to educate patients and parents on the benefits of vaccinating according to the schedule???

Thank you!

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN

1 Article; 2,675 Posts

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

Imagine a dice construction falling after one randomly thrown dice.

Now, imagine subsequently every fifth, forth, second... to 9 out of 10 dices are glued together. What will happen?

I use a (sorry, patented) nanoparticle statistical physics animation model modified for this purpose. Seeing the "house" effectively standing when 90% of elements are "glued" (i.e. 90% population vaccinated) makes the trick.

Right away - not my idea. Author is Muno, RN (many thanks another time, BTW :)

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I use a picture of a 50s-era iron lung ward in a presentation I do. I've also started describing folks who are rabidly anti-vaccine as having 'low health literacy' - because they do.

morte, LPN, LVN

7,015 Posts

do not lie to them

Horseshoe, BSN, RN

5,879 Posts

People who believe their "research" (usually mommy blogs and anti vaxx propaganda sites that blather about VAERS and anecdotal information) over peer related studies are never going to listen to you. It's all a conspiracy, blah blah blah.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN

2,776 Posts

Specializes in school nurse.

I find that beating them into submission with an uncooked kielbasa usually works...:no:

cleback

1,381 Posts

I feel like antivaxxers just have a different worldview... more towards distrust. If they are asking you as their provider, I'd assume they are open to your knowledge and you'd talk to them as you would any other. But for the fundamental antivaxxer, policy will likely sway their actions more than persuasion (studies show they tend to chose providers with similar viewpoints anyway).

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN

1 Article; 2,675 Posts

Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
People who believe their "research" (usually mommy blogs and anti vaxx propaganda sites that blather about VAERS and anecdotal information) over peer related studies are never going to listen to you. It's all a conspiracy, blah blah blah.

They do listen... sometimes.

When I do that, I consciously reserve at least two full hours of my time. I ask them to bring whatever sources they want, and discuss them, one by one. The junk they bring literally makes me crying blood, but we go through each "source" and resource. I listen, usually more about their fears than anything else. I do not judge. And there I get really open - with my life forever hooked to steroids, inhalers, oxygen and other funny stuff thanks to my mom once made decision to spare me a measles shot.

Success rate >50%. I do it not frequently, though. Only in cases like patient awaiting transplant with her unvaccinated 5 y/o living in the same household and ready for preschool. The patient knew WHAT chicken pox or any other preventable disease would do for her and literally cried me into speaking with parents.

Although I bitterly resent a sense of "Aussie formula" in the USA ("no shots - no child support muneys")

Horseshoe, BSN, RN

5,879 Posts

Wow, KatieMi, you must have the patience of Job.

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I find that beating them into submission with an uncooked kielbasa usually works...:no:

Seems like a waste of kielbasa....but carry on.

allnurses Guide

hppygr8ful, ASN, RN, EMT-I

4 Articles; 5,044 Posts

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

This PSA just about says it all

Hppy

Farawyn

12,646 Posts

What controversy? Either get the shot, wear the mask, or don't work in healthcare. You have 3 choices.

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