I teach undergraduate biochemistry, and in the spring semester course we use antibodies and vaccines as the public health context for the section of the course focused on protein structure and function (both semesters are taught ENTIRELY in the context of public health issues). Your sentence just became part of my script for the course, and it will be a line that I will say multiple times.
Many of the students in the course plan to become health care providers of some type. And even if their goal is something other than health care, as members of the scientific community they need to be able to respond thoughtfully, effectively, and appropriately to the concerns and questions of friends and family members. Your sentence will help them do that.
If you’re able to change their mind, it’s not really refusal, is it? The label refuser sounds belligerent and judgmental which we’ve learned doesn’t change behavior.
I believe this is also being paternalistic...to which I recall Nancy Regan (stand correct) saying "just say no"...that does not effect change nor explain the dangers associated with a given activity or the lack of benefit from not being vaccinated.
True. I'm thinking specifically of the anti-vaxxers who have been adamantly refusing the Covid vaccine for over five years and are still described as "vaccine-hesitant." Maybe "vaccine-resistant" in this case? Thoughtful descriptors address and respect the complexity /specificity of the person who is not comfortable with vaccination.
I had a young & brilliant Phm offer a 'high' compliment to myself a few years ago...not my assessment but that others have characterized the moment.
"You have such a gift when you speak to the patients"...thank you Johnny (a story for another time, his Anglicized chosen name in lieu of his birth name).
It's not a gift, simply have a conversation with the person & my preference is to sit with them. Meet the person eye-to-eye, listen & read their facial/body expressions & then you'll know if the message is being received.
Other very gifted clinicians that post to their Substacks or comment to posts refer to my approach (paraphrasing or my view) as " meeting the person where they are".
Is this not being respectful?
I had what I am willing to admit a big win, couple wk's ago. Women in her 30's was asking for Tamiflu as prophylaxis.
We did not have it available but could order it. May I ask why you cannot have the 'flu-shot'? Maybe one of the "open-ended" questions we are told to ask. Once again I don't phrase my conversation or questions as open-ended...simply chat!
Her reply being the common misunderstanding, had it before, got sick & didn't work.
Maybe I was just lucky or 'met her where she was'. She accepted my advice (explanation) waiting the few minutes for me to draw up a dose & administer it. 😊
The door was open so we chatted about other vaccines & when she last had a "tetanus shot'?
Side bar, although the guidelines Can/USA is to have a booster for tetanus is each 10 yr's. The need is not such, we retain immunity for tetanus & diphtheria for several decades...yes 20-30 yr's upon receiving the initial series. In the UK individuals are only revaccinated upon a "serve/dirty" wound. But such is not the case for pertussis, with immunity waning after 3-5 yr's.
Warm regards & thank you Dr. Faust for a simply & clearly effective"one liner".
the science hasn’t changed. What has changed, with ACIP recommendations, is its interpretation and who gets to decide how it’s applied.
I understand the author was on a news show with a celebrity. I get the little float on fame above the fawning “nurses” of a L&D department gushing on him. I get total the hierarchy of his belief system—decorating magnificently this Christmas post.
.
But I don’t get (and how you can’t get) the one “sentence supreme,” headlined and celebrated in the post. It reads less as evidence and more as persuasive closure—designed to secure agreement rather than invite genuine choice. It frames anything short of alignment as illegitimate or political, and in doing so forecloses patient deliberation.
The fact that anyone would consider a thing RFK has to say as scientific proof is horrifying. Thank you for your work.
This is a simple, effective way to cut through confusion clinicians are now facing in real time. It is encouraging to see it work
A simple, brilliant script!! Thank you! We have to keep putting the energy into caring...
It is a great line and applies to all vaccines.
Brilliant, Dr Faust! Merry Christmas!
I teach undergraduate biochemistry, and in the spring semester course we use antibodies and vaccines as the public health context for the section of the course focused on protein structure and function (both semesters are taught ENTIRELY in the context of public health issues). Your sentence just became part of my script for the course, and it will be a line that I will say multiple times.
Many of the students in the course plan to become health care providers of some type. And even if their goal is something other than health care, as members of the scientific community they need to be able to respond thoughtfully, effectively, and appropriately to the concerns and questions of friends and family members. Your sentence will help them do that.
Dr Faust that is a brilliant way of saying it! Made the point perfectly!
Sad that such drivel from RFKjr had such an impact. Thanks for good advice.
Thank you as always for your thoughtfulness and dedication.
Please stop calling it "vaccine hesitancy" - it's "vaccine refusal."
If you’re able to change their mind, it’s not really refusal, is it? The label refuser sounds belligerent and judgmental which we’ve learned doesn’t change behavior.
I believe this is also being paternalistic...to which I recall Nancy Regan (stand correct) saying "just say no"...that does not effect change nor explain the dangers associated with a given activity or the lack of benefit from not being vaccinated.
JJF Phm 🇨🇦
True. I'm thinking specifically of the anti-vaxxers who have been adamantly refusing the Covid vaccine for over five years and are still described as "vaccine-hesitant." Maybe "vaccine-resistant" in this case? Thoughtful descriptors address and respect the complexity /specificity of the person who is not comfortable with vaccination.
Such a good line for all vaccinations not just hep B. Will be copying you. Thanks.
Excellent suggestion.
Thank you. Sentences to use that work is very helpful.
I had a young & brilliant Phm offer a 'high' compliment to myself a few years ago...not my assessment but that others have characterized the moment.
"You have such a gift when you speak to the patients"...thank you Johnny (a story for another time, his Anglicized chosen name in lieu of his birth name).
It's not a gift, simply have a conversation with the person & my preference is to sit with them. Meet the person eye-to-eye, listen & read their facial/body expressions & then you'll know if the message is being received.
Other very gifted clinicians that post to their Substacks or comment to posts refer to my approach (paraphrasing or my view) as " meeting the person where they are".
Is this not being respectful?
I had what I am willing to admit a big win, couple wk's ago. Women in her 30's was asking for Tamiflu as prophylaxis.
We did not have it available but could order it. May I ask why you cannot have the 'flu-shot'? Maybe one of the "open-ended" questions we are told to ask. Once again I don't phrase my conversation or questions as open-ended...simply chat!
Her reply being the common misunderstanding, had it before, got sick & didn't work.
Maybe I was just lucky or 'met her where she was'. She accepted my advice (explanation) waiting the few minutes for me to draw up a dose & administer it. 😊
The door was open so we chatted about other vaccines & when she last had a "tetanus shot'?
Side bar, although the guidelines Can/USA is to have a booster for tetanus is each 10 yr's. The need is not such, we retain immunity for tetanus & diphtheria for several decades...yes 20-30 yr's upon receiving the initial series. In the UK individuals are only revaccinated upon a "serve/dirty" wound. But such is not the case for pertussis, with immunity waning after 3-5 yr's.
Warm regards & thank you Dr. Faust for a simply & clearly effective"one liner".
JJF Phm 🇨🇦
Best sentence of the new year! As a teacher I will be using this all the time! Hope you and yours have a healthy and happy holiday!
I agree—
the science hasn’t changed. What has changed, with ACIP recommendations, is its interpretation and who gets to decide how it’s applied.
I understand the author was on a news show with a celebrity. I get the little float on fame above the fawning “nurses” of a L&D department gushing on him. I get total the hierarchy of his belief system—decorating magnificently this Christmas post.
.
But I don’t get (and how you can’t get) the one “sentence supreme,” headlined and celebrated in the post. It reads less as evidence and more as persuasive closure—designed to secure agreement rather than invite genuine choice. It frames anything short of alignment as illegitimate or political, and in doing so forecloses patient deliberation.
We are better than this.