Work

How Can We Communicate About Vaccines With Adolescents and Their Parents?

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To describe parents' and adolescents' perceptions about vaccination. METHODS: Qualitative interviews of 22 mothers/grandmothers and 25 10- to 14-year-olds. RESULTS: Themes emerged in 3 focus areas. (a) Understanding: Both adults and adolescents had difficulty understanding concepts of risks, benefits, prevention, and vaccination. (b) Decision making: Adults saw vaccination as an opportunity to help their adolescent develop skills for transition to adulthood. Adolescents worried about being lied to (reinforced by being told "it won't hurt"), physical pain, and cleanliness. ( c) Preventing sexually transmitted infections: Adults were divided between those who felt their child would not need such a vaccine and those who wanted to "be safe" to protect their child in the future. CONCLUSIONS: At the same time that even basic concepts about vaccination should be explained to both adults and adolescents, adolescence represents a time for learning about responsible decision making. Discussion regarding the risks and benefits of vaccines can be part of transitioning to adult decision making.

Source: Clinical Pediatrics

DOI: 10.1177/0009922809351091

Authors: Andrea L. Benin, Ann C. Wu, Eric S. Holmboe, Eugene D. Shapiro, Walter Anyan

Institutions: Yale University, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard University, American Board of Internal Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Center for Research Resources