Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment to change. With regard to immunization, the MI approach seeks to exchange information with adults, parents, caregivers and others who may lower reluctance and increase willingness to consider vaccination, especially for COVID. We facilitate the conversation according to the person’s specific needs and their individual level of knowledge, with respectful acceptance of their beliefs. The use of motivational interviewing calls for an empathic discussion of current COVID vaccination considerations and can help to build a strong relationship for effective information exchange. This three-hour, highly interactive session will incorporate information, discussion, demonstration and practice.Topics include:
- Sources of vaccine hesitancy, generally and specific to COVID
- Overview of effective motivational conversation skills
- What works and what doesn’t
- Application of MI skills in COVID vaccine hesitancy exchanges
- Options for reducing interpersonal discord
- “Emotional PPE” for the helper
- Resource share