dialougue writing between you and yout family doctor on how to maintain good health and safety during lockdown.
Answers
Answer:
Vaccines save 2 to 3 million lives each year and are amongst the greatest advances of modern medicine.
The development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines is a huge step forward in our global effort to end the pandemic.
This is exciting news, but there are still some people who are skeptical or hesitant about COVID-19 vaccines. Chances are you know a person who falls into this category – maybe among your group of friends or in your family.
If you are unsure of how to approach conversations about vaccines with vaccine skeptics you know, you’re not alone. We spoke to Dr. Saad Omer, Director at the Yale Institute for Global Health, about the do’s and don’ts of navigating these difficult discussions.
>>What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines
Do connect with their values.
Even if you are feeling frustrated, it is important to be empathetic. “Make them feel heard,” advises Omer. Attempt to connect with their underlying sentiment. For example, if they are tired of being kept from doing the things they want to do because of COVID-19, connect with them on the fact that places they enjoy will begin to open up again if we are all vaccinated against the disease. He suggests talking about COVID-19 and how devastating it has been. If you only speak about vaccines “it’s not a full picture, and has somewhat lower chances of succeeding,” he explains. When the discussion comes back to COVID-19, it places the focus on the trade-offs we have all had to make such as physically distancing ourselves from loved ones and missing out on normal daily activities.
Don’t interrupt.
Make sure not to cut off, speak over or jump into correcting your loved one. Listen to the person you are talking to and meet them where they are. “You shouldn’t agree with any false information, but you should empathize and continue the process rather than ending your relationship or ending the conversation,” says Omer.
Do help them feel empowered.
Right now, many people are scared. The pandemic has completely transformed our lives. Omer suggests giving your loved one an empowering message: You can do something about this disease. Remind them that they can help change their own trajectory and their loved ones’ trajectories in this pandemic by getting vaccinated. “[They] can do something about it. These vaccines work.”
Don’t focus on the myths.
“Be careful about countering a misperception too directly,” says Omer. The discussion shouldn’t be all or mostly about addressing a specific myth because there will always be more myths that follow. Calling attention to a myth can also backfire by making the myth more memorable than the facts. But sometimes, you cannot get out of addressing misinformation. If you find yourself in that position, Omer suggests the following approach: fact, warning, fallacy, fact. Here’s how it works:
Start with the fact. COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe and effective.
Warn before the myth is coming. Say, “there is misinformation about______.”
Mention the fallacy (myth) that you are addressing.
End with the fact. Show why the myth is not true.
The most important thing is to “replace the misinformation with the correct information,” explains Omer.
Do assume they are going to get vaccinated.
Simply say to your friend or family member, “Let’s go get vaccinated!” This method is called presumptive communication. “The announcement approach or presumptive approach has been shown to be successful in the clinic and is likely to work in personal communication,” says Omer. You’re not taking away someone’s autonomy, all you are doing is establishing a verbal default.
Don’t get discouraged.
Convincing someone who is opposed to vaccines is a long process. “It’s extremely tough,” says Omer. Remember that for those who are strongly opposed to vaccines in general, their opinions will not likely be changed in one conversation. The important thing? “Maintain a connection with them.”