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Vaccine Hesitancy
Expert Answers to Questions on Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy 

Released: October 16, 2025

Tina Q. Tan
Tina Q. Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS
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Key Takeaways
  • Healthcare professionals play a key role in promoting vaccination and addressing vaccine hesitancy and questions about safety.
  • Despite recent changes to ACIP recommendations, healthcare professionals can advocate for patients who desire to vaccinate their children.

In this commentary, we answer the most pressing questions from healthcare professional (HCP) learners that will help you address patient questions about vaccines.

How do you explain in effective, simple terms that the current vaccine schedule has more vaccines but fewer antigens?
This is an excellent question. An important part of addressing vaccine hesitancy is to provide evidence-based information in a way that is understandable. Here is what I would say:

“An antigen is a foreign substance that causes the immune system to react. With vaccines, the immune system reaction leads to protection from future infections. Vaccines from the 1980s were made up of whole cells that included thousands of antigens. Scientists have figured out which antigens lead to better and longer protection. The current vaccines selectively use the most effective antigens instead of entire cells. A child gets more vaccines now they did 30 or 40 years ago, but the vaccines contain significantly fewer antigens.”

When people absolutely are resolved that they do not want vaccines for their children, how do you talk to them?
HCP recommendation is still 1 of the most important factors for determining if a family will vaccinate. For vaccine refusers, we must do everything in our power to keep the lines of communication open. Ask them why they are against vaccines and be empathetic of their concerns.

Although misinformed, these parents are making the decision not to vaccinate because they think they are protecting their child and standing on their values. Some people may not want to hear the science, but we should continue to provide them with personalized and evidence-based recommendations in a nonjudgmental manner. 

Of most importance, we should continue to engage these families in discussions. Provide them with written information and schedule a follow-up visit to continue the discussion. We really have to take every opportunity to discuss vaccines with vaccine-refusing families.

Since COVID vaccines were approved in only 1-2 years after the pandemic, how do you justify their safety to parents?
Parents should know that the rapid approval and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines was a part of the US government’s response to the global pandemic. The US initiated Operation Warp speed to facilitate the rapid development, testing, and mass production of several vaccine candidates using different vaccine technologies that were developed prior to the pandemic. 

Although the COVID-19 vaccines were approved more quickly, no clinical trial steps were skipped, and safety remained at the forefront. Vaccine development time was shorter because phase I, II, and III clinical trials occurred simultaneously, rather than being done sequentially as is standard.

It is also important for families to know that the COVID-19 vaccine was rigorously tested and proven to be safe and effective prior to approval, and that safety continues to be monitored through passive and active surveillance systems managed by the CDC and FDA. 

How do we address situations when a family’s insurance does not reimburse for vaccines because of new changes in Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations?
Most major insurance companies will continue to reimburse for vaccines despite the current ACIP recommendations. HCPs need to find ways to do what is best for their patients. If a patient’s insurance company does not reimburse for vaccines, they should work with the parents to find the best way to financially cover the vaccines.

I practice in an area where I am are required to write prescriptions that includes a list of prequalifying conditions for the COVID-19 vaccines. Should I push back against this?
You do not need to push back against this but given the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, you can document when you speak with the parents and when, through shared decision-making, they have decided to vaccinate their child.  

Your Thoughts
Share your thoughts, stories, or questions on addressing vaccine hesitancy below. To view a recording and slides from the symposium where these questions were asked, visit this link.

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