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

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.