After the long wait for a vaccine to fight COVID-19, the time has finally arrived. But are the citizens ready, what with rumours of side effects of the vaccines doing rounds? Convincing people to get vaccinated is important to promote herd immunity and this is where you can play an important role. Wondering how? Read on to know.

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Considering the formulation, successful trials and authorisation of vaccines for COVID-19, the new year has surely started on a happy note. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and also, Covishield for emergency use until its makers - Oxford-Astrazeneca and Serum Institute of India can fulfill all the necessary conditions for full authorisation.

The mass vaccination campaign is already in progress, but are the citizens of India ready to get vaccinated? Here’s what we found during our research:

1. As per a recent survey conducted by LocalCircles, only 26% of the 8,723 respondents were prepared to get vaccinated as soon as it would become available. These respondents were clear about using private or other healthcare avenues.
2. LocalCircles received 10,468 responses to a question about readiness among parents to vaccinate their children and found that only 26% were open to the idea, provided the vaccine was available before April 2021 or before schools reopened.
3. While 12% were completely against it, 56% of the parents wanted to wait for findings before making a decision.

The figures suggest hesitation among a majority of the people. The reasons could be many, including the limited information about the efficacy and news about the side effects of these vaccines. In addition to these, even the apparent decline in COVID caseloads in the country could be making the masses want to wait instead of resorting to vaccination. However, what they don’t understand is that with vaccination we could achieve a herd immunity towards the new Coronavirus over time. Also, developing immunity to fight the mutating virus and its strains would be important.

In light of the given situation, healthcare professionals are the only ones who can convince people about the need for getting vaccinated. The Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) USA, had recently suggested some steps for doctors to put forth a strong recommendation to their patients for COVID-19 vaccination. Here we give you points based on CDC’s steps to effectively communicate the need for vaccination to your patients:

1. Use every opportunity to communicate

Whether you serve at a hospital or run your own clinic, patients may still be keen on virtual consultations. Use every opportunity you get with your patients to bring up the topic of vaccination. This would be especially important for patients with comorbidities or someone about to start with a treatment or someone who has to undertake travels for work. You may speak about the importance of vaccination once you are done with the intended consultation.

2. Ask first, but assume ignorance

Not all your patients may be against vaccination, so it is better to ask about their intention. However, for both kinds of patients – who want to and don’t want to get vaccinated – it is important you assume they do not have complete factual information.

If the patient is prepared to get vaccinated, ask them if they know where to get it and if they have made up their mind about a particular brand. Hear them out and provide your inputs wherever necessary. Talk to them about the available vaccines and their proven efficacies.

If you come across a patient who is completely against the available treatment, ask them their reasons. Acknowledge and help clear their doubts.

3. Explain the need

For both sets of patients, it is essential to correct their pre-conceived notions about the treatment. To clear that, assert the need of vaccination – which serves as an immunity booster aside from the precautions we all must take; like wearing masks and social distancing.

If a non-willing patient shares his apprehensions, help him or her see how the vaccine can keep them and their family protected against the virus and possibly, any of its evolving strains. Remind them of the kind of unwanted situations that can be seen in other countries and how, with vaccination, we can develop a herd immunity and help prevent similar scenarios in our city, state and country. Provide your reasons to believe why they must get vaccinated, keeping in mind their medical case or history.

4. Answer your patient’s questions

A confused or an uninformed patient is better than one who thinks he has all the information. Acknowledge the confusion or the lack of information on part of the patient and explain that it is natural to be unsure. Guide all patients with accurate information on the government’s plans of vaccination and any other useful and official material, which may reach you through authorised channels in the days to come.

Let them ask you questions; your answers can help them see the necessity of vaccination amidst the pandemic that we are still living through. By giving them factual information about the treatment, the dosages, centres of vaccination, and pricing among others, you can help them make an informed decision.

5. Parting dialogue

If your patient has been prepared to get vaccinated, after providing your inputs, appreciate his intent, informing him of the positive impact of his action on the society.

Even after following the steps given above, if your patient seems to be unsure, reiterate that they can reach out to you for any questions they may have over the next few days.

Credible information and recommendation coming from you is invaluable, doctor. Persuading your patients to get vaccinated would be equivalent of your service to the society. If you have any shareable data about the efficacy of any of the vaccines for COVID, feel free to share it with your patients.