Not Sure About Vaccines? Here’s What You Need to Know

Pushback to getting vaccines has grown in recent years. But there is no doubt that vaccines save lives. And the development and advancement of vaccines has eliminated some diseases altogether, and prolonged the lives of millions of people.

“There has always been a lot of misinformation around vaccines, but it seems to be increasing,” says Brooke Trenton MD, Medical Director at Ryan Health | Women and Children’s. “I’m a strong proponent of vaccines. I’ve worked all around the world and have seen kids die of diseases that we can vaccinate for.”

The start of the school year is a reminder that kids are required to have vaccinations for a wide range of contagious diseases in order to attend classes. Some parents question whether that’s necessary, but the reality is that these vaccines are required by NYC Public Schools and other school districts if you want to enroll your child.

“Some parents start the conversation by asking which vaccines are required. I always tell them that they don’t have to do anything they don’t want to do, they have autonomy over their child,” Dr. Trenton says. “I tell them that vaccines are important for their child and the health of the community. I want it to be a shared decision, but they also need to know the roadblock they’re going to face. My job is to give them as much information as I can. But it is ultimately their choice.”

A large part of the reason behind vaccine hesitancy, according to Dr. Trenton, is that people have lost their sense of power with healthcare, and their relationship with their providers and the medical community has shifted.

“COVID brought the American healthcare system to its knees and we’re still recovering legitimacy and trust from the public,” she says. “But the questions are coming from all over the place — all ages and demographics.

“The more you treat people who don’t want to vaccinate as not smart or not compassionate, the worse you make it,” Dr. Trenton continues. “We need to understand our patients' real concerns and talk with them about why they should vaccinate. As providers, we need to earn our patients’ trust and remind them that we’re working with them in their best interest.”

Often, parents of newborns are the most questioning, because they are just starting a relationship with the pediatrician. It takes time to develop trust in a relationship.

“We should not be chastising parents who don’t want to vaccinate. Parents don’t want to hurt their child, and Ryan Health is a supportive environment,” Dr. Trenton says. “The burden is on us. We let them know that it is our job as doctors to practice evidence-based medicine. When new parents say they don’t see anyone suffering from the diseases we’re vaccinating for, I can say: that is the point. You don’t see it because of vaccines.”