Talking to Parents about Vaccines

Many parents have questions about their children’s vaccines, and answering their questions can help parents feel confident in choosing to immunize their child according to the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule. The materials below are intended to help health care professionals start or continue conversations with parents.

The materials include proven communication strategies and tips for effectively addressing questions you may hear from parents, as well as information for parents who choose not to vaccinate. There is also a video featuring a CDC pediatrician answering tough vaccine questions—It may be helpful for you as well as for parents in your practice.

Talking with Parents about Vaccines for Infants

For health care professionals

These two resources are companion pieces that are intended to be used together.

Talking with Parents about Vaccines for Infants
Learn conversational techniques and find resources for discussing vaccines with parents.

Preparing for Vaccine Questions Parents May Ask
Many parents have similar questions about vaccines. Prepare for common parent questions and learn techniques for your immunization conversations.

Vaccine Communication With Parents: Best Practices – Nancy Messonnier, M.D., CAPT (Retired), USPHS

For health care professionals

Vaccine Communication With Parents: Best Practices – Nancy Messonnier, MD (CAPT, USPHS)

Listen to CDC’s Dr. Nancy Messonnier explain 5 research-based strategies to improve vaccine conversations with parents in this Medscape video .

If You Choose Not to Vaccinate Your Child, Understand the Risks and Responsibilities

For parents and caregivers

Outlines possible risks for parents who choose to delay or decline a vaccine; offers steps for parents to take to protect their child, family and others.

Printed size: 8-1/2″x 11″, 2 pages
Commercial printer files available upon request

Get the Picture: Childhood Immunizations

For parents and caregivers

In this CDC-TV video, a pediatrician answers some tough questions that real moms ask about childhood immunizations.

View this video on CDC-TV or on YouTube
Running Time: 6:27 mins

About These Materials

These materials, collectively called Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents, have been developed by CDC, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Get Updates

Be sure to sign up to get email updates when materials are added or updated.

Upon Request

If you want to reproduce higher quality or large quantities of these pieces, consider using a local commercial printer. We can provide high-resolution, press-ready files. If you need a high-res file, indicate your printer’s specifications in an email request.