In the quiet hallways of pediatric clinics, some of the most difficult conversations doctors have today aren’t about diagnoses — they’re about prevention. As measles cases resurge across the United States, pediatricians are confronting an increase in vaccine hesitancy, particularly toward the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Their approach is less about persuasion and more about listening, empathy, and building trust — all while trying to keep preventable diseases at bay.
The Human Face of Measles
Dr. Alexandra Cvijanovich still remembers a patient from her training years in Utah — a 13-year-old boy who died from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a rare but fatal complication of measles. He contracted the virus at just seven months old, too young to be vaccinated, after being exposed to an unvaccinated child. Years later, the delayed effects took his life.
Preventable Tragedies, Lasting Lessons
Now a pediatrician in New Mexico, Cvijanovich often shares this story with hesitant families. “It’s a horrible, preventable death,” she says. Her region is currently grappling with one of the largest measles outbreaks in recent history, affecting hundreds across three states. She hopes that personal narratives — not statistics alone — will help parents understand what’s at stake.
Strategies That Make a Difference
Many pediatricians report growing resistance to vaccinations, not just for MMR but across the immunization schedule. They’ve developed strategies to meet this challenge — not through confrontation, but through communication tailored to each family’s concerns.
Do: Address Specific Concerns Thoughtfully
Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a primary care pediatrician in New York, emphasizes the importance of understanding individual fears. “Tailoring your approach to the family’s specific concern is what builds confidence,” she explains.
- For families worried about side effects, she suggests reviewing the source of the information together.
- For those concerned about vaccine ingredients, doctors compare them to everyday exposures like food preservatives or metals found in the environment.
Doctors caution parents against relying on social media for medical advice and instead encourage open, evidence-based conversations with their providers.
Don’t: Let People Forget What Vaccines Prevent
With diseases like measles now rarely seen, some parents mistakenly believe the illness is harmless. “Vaccines have become victims of their own success,” says Dr. Christina Johns of PM Pediatrics in Maryland. She reminds families that measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death — risks that are easy to overlook when the virus feels distant.
- 1 in 5 unvaccinated people with measles will be hospitalized
- 1 in 1,000 children will develop brain inflammation
- 1–3 in 1,000 infected children will die
Building Trust Through Partnership
Successful conversations often begin by affirming common ground. Pediatricians stress that parents and doctors alike want what’s best for the child.
Do: Approach Parents as Allies
“We’re in this together,” says Dr. Johns. “Let’s sort through the facts side by side.” Even when a parent remains uncertain, the strength of the doctor-patient relationship can carry them through. Bracho-Sanchez notes that many parents ultimately agree to vaccinate — not because they’re fearless, but because they trust the person recommending it.
Don’t: Dismiss or Diminish Parental Concerns
Condemnation doesn’t work, says Cvijanovich. Parents are flooded with information — some reliable, much of it not — and navigating it is daunting. Being dismissive or condescending only widens the gap. “This isn’t about degrees,” she says. “It’s about respect and helping people sift through a confusing sea of data.”
Still, she acknowledges that in some cases, misinformation has taken such deep root that it’s hard to reach parents. She recalls families who believe the current measles outbreak is a government conspiracy to push vaccinations. Even then, she continues the dialogue, hoping repetition and rapport might one day make a difference.
The Bigger Picture: Protecting the Community
When dealing with highly contagious diseases like measles — which can remain airborne for two hours after an infected person leaves a room — vaccination isn’t just about individual protection. It’s about public health.
Do: Emphasize Collective Responsibility
Some parents are more receptive when they understand that their decision affects not just their own child, but the elderly, infants, and immunocompromised individuals around them. “Framing it as a community issue can be powerful,” says Dr. Vivek Cherian, an internal medicine doctor in Chicago.
One Conversation at a Time
The ongoing outbreak, which began in a Mennonite community in West Texas, underscores the complexity of vaccine hesitancy. In that case, religious beliefs aren’t the main driver — misinformation is. Local officials say small, in-person conversations have helped turn the tide more than any broad campaign.
Ultimately, pediatricians see themselves not just as healers, but as educators and partners. They may not change minds overnight, but by showing empathy, sharing stories, and presenting clear facts, they can help parents make informed choices — for their kids, and for everyone else’s too.
