Talking with Parents and Patients About Vaccines

Resources for health care providers

Benefits of pediatric vaccination talking points

• Use these talking points to help convey the importance of vaccination for adolescents and children:
  • Getting vaccinated helps keep children safe and healthy.
  • Kids can get all the shots they need on the same day.
  • Side effects from vaccines are common. Most are minor (sore arm or low-grade fever) and only last a day or two. These side effects mean the immune system is responding to the vaccine. It's also OK if the child does not have side effects. People respond to the vaccine in different ways.
  • Serious side effects are very rare. Information on risks of a vaccine reaction can be found on CDC: Current VISs.
• CDC: Educate the Parent and Patient
  CDC guidance for providing strong vaccine recommendations, includes Vaccine Information Statements (VISs).
• CDC: Questions Parents May Ask about Vaccines
  A resource to help you prepare to listen to and respond to questions parents might have about vaccines.
• CDC: Talking to You Pregnant Patients about Vaccines
  Information and resources for health care providers to increase the use of maternal vaccines by ob-gyns, nurse-midwives, and other health care professionals.

Find ways to decrease barriers for families

• Aim to offer multiple ways to schedule and/or allow walk-ins for vaccination.
• Extend hours: Try to offer early morning, evening, or weekend appointments for caregivers to bring in children for vaccination.
• Consider working with schools, local health departments, other local community organizations, or mobile vaccination units to help facilitate community vaccination drives specifically for children and families from areas with high social vulnerability factors.
• For additional resources visit:
  • Well-child Visits and Immunization
    Minnesota specific information on how families can schedule a well-child visit to track their child's growth and developmental milestones, discuss concerns about their child's health, as well as recommended immunizations. Half sheet handouts are also available in several languages.
  • Free or Low-Cost Shots for Children
    Information for parents about getting free or low-cost shots for their child through the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) program.
  • How to Enroll in the MnVFC Program
    If you are a Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) provider, promote the MnVFC program to families, especially those who may be newly eligible. If you are not a MnVFC provider, consider enrolling.