Child health care nurses' strategies in meeting with parents who are hesitant to child vaccinations

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe how nurses in child health centres deal with parents who are hesitant to child vaccinations.

Method: A study with a qualitative approach that was based on 12 semi-structured interviews. The informants were nurses working in child health centres in the Västra Götaland region. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: The results identified six strategies for dealing with vaccine-hesitant parents: 1) using the family’s resources and knowledge to create a trusting relationship; 2) meetings with the same nurse; 3) open dialogue and active listening; 4) regular meetings between nurse and paediatrician; 5) nurse training on new vaccines and vaccination programme; and 6) nurse training on parents’ use of publicly available information.

Conclusion: Nurses should get to know the vaccine-hesitant parents, by listening to them and understanding their point of view. Thereby, nurses establish a good relationship, inspire trust and actively involve the parents in the decision-making concerning the vaccination of their child. Nurses should not make vaccine-hesitant parents feel guilty about not wanting to vaccinate their child.