From paternalism to “maternalistic” partnership: A better way to talk about vaccines

It’s all about how to talk about vaccines: tone matters as much as facts. A paternalisticstyle — “I’m the expert; you should do as I say” can shut parents down, harden hesitancy, and fray trust. A maternalistic approach reframes the encounter: nurturing, collaborative, and centred on agency. It’s still evidence‑based, but the emphasis is on doing with, not doing to.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

1) Start by listening, not lecturing.

Open with curiosity: “What’s on your mind about the vaccines?” Parents bring lived experience, values, and prior information (good and bad). When they feel heard, they’re more open to guidance.

2) Name the shared goal.

Align around what everyone wants. Articulating this common ground reduces defensiveness and turns you into a teammate rather than a referee.

3) Offer caring clarity.

Translate risk and benefit in plain language, using relevant comparisons and stories. Keep it concise; ask permission before going deeper: “Would it help to walk through what the schedule protects against?”

4) Validate the emotion, not the misinformation.

It’s possible to empathise, “It’s normal to double‑check choices for your child” while gently correcting inaccuracies and signposting to trusted resources.

5) Co‑create the plan.

If a parent isn’t ready today, set a follow‑up, agree on what they’ll read, and how you’ll revisit questions. Partnership sustains momentum without coercion.

This shift is more than bedside manner; it’s a strategy. As recent reflections from paediatrics underscore, even the strongest evidence can be “lost in transmission” if delivered in a way that makes families feel dismissed. Trust grows when we slow down, ask better questions, and pair strong recommendations with genuine respect for choice. In an era of noisy timelines and fragmented guidance, a maternalistic posture, warm, steady, and collaborative, helps parents say “yes” to protection because they feel informed, not pressured.

If this resonates and you’d like to learn more, chat to us about our Better Conversations: Vaccinations training.

Follow our experts on LinkedIn: Dr Caitlin Williams & Amanda Madden.