Communication Skills for Talking About COVID-19 Vaccines

These communication skills are designed for clinicians to use with patients and families, using an approach adapted from motivational interviewing and research on vaccine hesitancy. Note that this approach differs from public messaging, which is meant to introduce the topic to broad groups of the public, usually on social media or mass media. In contrast to public messaging, clinicians have the opportunity to engage patients as persons so that their particular concerns can be addressed and coping strengths mobilized.

The concerns addressed by these skills reflect research published in December 2020 identifying common reasons people cited for not wanting to be vaccinated.

Note that prior research on vaccine hesitancy indicates that persons holding extreme negative views on vaccines are unlikely to be swayed. Thus these skills are designed to address people who are indeterminate, or not sure, or deciding—for this group, openness, empathy, and offering information after they give permission or show interest can build trust and your credibility as a messenger.

You can also download an editable version of the script. Developed by VitalTalk.

(Principle: A soft start into a controversial topic enables engagement.)

Patient says: All people are talking about lately is the COVID vaccine and Delta/Omicron. I’m just so over this. What are your thoughts about the vaccine?
Clinician says: I understand—this has been going on for a long time. What have you been hearing? I’d be interested in how you see the positives and negatives with the vaccine.

Patient says: I don’t know if I can trust everything I read about vaccines.
Clinician says: That is a sensible approach. Do you have questions that I could answer?

(Principle: Empathy reduces the perception that you approve or disapprove of someone.)

Patient says: I don’t really know what’s in it [the vaccine].
Clinician says: We have been giving the vaccine for almost a year and know a lot more about it now. But having questions is normal. Could you say more about your concern?

Patient says: How did they do it so fast?
Clinician says: I realize that this is happening faster than anyone predicted, so having questions is normal. The people who developed this vaccine have been working on vaccines for two decades. It’s been in the making for a long time.

Patient says: I just don’t trust vaccines.
Clinician says: I have heard other people say they are worried about the vaccine. Could you say more about your concern?

(Principle: Instead of trying to argue against misinformation, provide high quality information from a positive frame.)

Patient says: I just think this has gotten really political.
Clinician says: You are right, it has gotten political. Here’s what I can say. I’ve looked at the results of the vaccine we have to offer. This vaccine does really protect people from COVID-19. I want you to have the benefit of it.

Patient says: You just never know what the side effects will be.
Clinician says: Yes, it is true that there have been some side effects. The most common side effect is some soreness at the injection site. There have been a couple of people who have had severe allergic reactions that were treated successfully. Now more than 205.8 million people have been fully vaccinated, and the serious side effects have been very rare. The vaccine that we have is proven to be safe, and I have taken it.

Patient says: I read on social media that the risk of COVID is not that high.
Clinician says: It is true that COVID-19 can affect people mildly or severely, but the Delta and Omicron variants are more contagious than previous variants. My colleagues and I are seeing enough severe cases of COVID-19 that our hospitals are so full that they cannot do everything they would like to do for patients. There is a daily newsletter from the department of health that shows the latest numbers that I can share with you.

(Principle: Who you are as a messenger matters, and your awareness of that contributes to your authenticity and trustworthiness. Use examples of other messengers who resemble your patient.)

Patient says: I am not sure that the needs of my people have been taken into account.
Clinician says: I realize that the medical system in the United States has not treated everyone fairly in the past, and that it has been racist. I recognize the injustices that have happened in the past. We are handling the COVID vaccine differently. It has been tested in people of all different backgrounds, and it is proven to be safe for all. At this clinic/hospital we are offering the vaccine according to someone’s risk of getting COVID.

Patient says: I have heard that you can get COVID from the vaccine.
Clinician says: I recognize that our country has a terrible history of injecting Black people with diseases. That should never happen again. This COVID vaccine is different. It has been proven to prevent infection, and I have taken it myself. Did you see the Black nurse in the newspaper getting the vaccine? She was trying to teach us all that it is safe.

(Principle: Showing how the vaccine is a stepping stone towards a future the patient wants can motivate them.)

Patient says: I’m just going to wait. I haven’t gotten COVID yet.
Clinician says: Of course, this is your decision. I do think that the vaccine will reduce your chances of getting a bad case of COVID, especially with the Delta and Omicron variants, and it is a step towards normal—a social life with fewer restrictions. And you mentioned that you want to visit your friends [or family]. The vaccine will help you and all of us do that sooner.

Patient says: I just don’t think I’m going to get COVID. I’m careful.
Clinician says: I’m glad you are being careful. That is still important. However, even patients who have been careful can still get COVID, and COVID can be fatal even for healthy people. That’s why the vaccine is worth considering.

These tips provide suggestions about how to respond to patient concerns, but in trying to cover a lot of ground, we have not shown the back-and-forth that good communication requires—remember that when patients are reticient to voice their concerns, it is better to suggest a topic and ask permission to explain what you know than to plow into a long lecture.

In addition, while these tips incorporate some skills about bridging inequities and a history of racism, they are not a complete guide to antiracist communication. We have published an earlier supplement to the COVID-Ready Communication Playbook on bridging inequities with additional examples of antiracist communication.