Talking about vaccination with Spanish-speaking patients
Resources for family physicians providing culturally responsive care
Vaccines are one of the best preventive health tools available to us today. They help protect people against infection and potentially serious illness. However, many people still have questions or concerns that influence their vaccination decisions for themselves or their children.
In addition, patients in your local Hispanic communities may have unique vaccination-related questions and concerns, as well as challenges to seeking and accessing care. Barriers to getting vaccinated may include misinformation and disinformation, patients’ distrust of institutions and the disproportionate impact of policy changes on these communities. Lack of equitable access to health care services can further complicate patients’ ability to receive timely and appropriate care, including vaccination.
This page supports conversations with your Spanish-speaking patients about vaccination. Research shows that a physician’s recommendation is often the single most important factor in a patient’s vaccination decisions. That is why it’s important for family physicians to be ready to address questions and concerns and provide relevant resources to help all their patients make informed health care choices.
Patient Resources
Share with your Spanish-speaking patients these resources that will empower them to seek vaccines confidently, ask questions and understand their rights and options.
Conversation tips
- Provide an interpreter, when appropriate.
- Listen to the patient with an open mind and a calm demeanor.
- Allow the patient to express their thoughts and concerns without interruption.
- Use behaviors such as maintaining eye contact and taking notes to help the patient feel heard
- Ask open-ended questions about the patient’s feelings and fears about vaccination.
- Don’t argue with the patient, even if you disagree or what they’re saying is inaccurate.
- After the patient has expressed their perspective, ask if it is OK for you to share information about vaccination with them.
- If they say yes: give a strong recommendation and provide trustworthy information from credible sources (e.g., the AAFP’s familydoctor.org, your local health department, academic research).
- If they say no: don’t push the information onto them. They may be open to talking about vaccination at a future visit, so leave an open channel of communication.
- Emphasize the benefits of vaccination and preventive care.
- Explain how protecting their family and community’s well-being can guide their vaccination decisions
- Follow up in ways that are relevant to the patient’s needs. This helps build trust and allows you to address any additional questions.
- Use EHR messaging or an interpreter to facilitate communication, when appropriate.
- Get involved in efforts to promote community well-being
Guidance and examples from experienced family physicians
Key takeaways for family physicians
- Build trust by respecting and responding to your patient’s cultural and language needs.
- Ask permission to share information about vaccination with your patient.
- Be an active listener and address your patient’s concerns clearly, focusing on vaccine safety and reliable resources.
- Strengthen the relationship with your patient by following up and maintaining open communication.