How do you talk to family and friends who are vaccine-hesitant?

Their righteous attitude is what's most annoying to me. They brag about not taking the vaccine, tell others that it's dangerous and not proven, and keep telling us that masks don't work so we shouldn't bother with them. It's gotten to the point that I wish all of them would just join Herman Cain and let the rest of us follow CDC and WHO guidelines without having to listen to their garbage. 

Hello everyone, thank you for opening and participating in this discussion.

As we continue to battle COVID-19, the various vaccines that have been developed have proven to be the key to slowing the spread, keeping people out of the hospital, and stopping the emergence of variants. However, it can be challenging talking to friends or family members who are hesitant about getting the vaccine. 

Here are a few tips to help you have a constructive conversation:

• Ask for their specific reasons why they don't want the vaccine: Knowing the person's specific concerns or reasons for not getting vaccinated can make the discussion easer than talking in generalities.
• Listen with empathy: With so much misinformation out there, it can be natural for them to have concerns. You can help by listening without judgment and acknowleding their emotions so they know they have been heard.
• Share your experience: Sharing your reasons for getting vaccinated and your experience getting the vaccine can help make it seem less scary. Reminding them that you are protecting not only yourself but those around you (including those who can't get the vaccine) can help.
• Avoid arguing: Whether talking to someone face-to-face or online, try not to argue, as it can put them on the defensive and make them feel attacked. Focus instead on their concerns and emotions and sharing your reasons for getting vaccinated.

What about you? How do you have a constructive conversation with loved ones who are reluctant to get the vaccine? Have you been able to help them change their minds?

Feel free to share any thoughts or experiences here!

Take care,
Courtney

 At this point a lack of reliable information and rational thought is not what is is holding up anti-vaxer’s.  
What more do they need to get vaccinated? 
They are members of a cult. 
A dangerous cult that has death as the ultimate form of allegiance. 
What I believe will be the ultimate course the pandemic takes is anti-vaxers dying off, 

This will return our hospitals to normal operations and allow us vaccinated humans to return to our previous lives. 

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I am vaccine hesitant, actually I wouldn’t even call it that. I WILL NEVER get that vaccine. People are dying, people are still getting covid, and people are still spreading the sickness. Why are they still giving it out? It all goes down to the government, and again I will say this again like I did in other comments, I’m 14 years old, and I’m gifted with the intelligence of a genius. [this content has been moderated by an administrator]…and I’m not that religious but may God Bless You!

@Imsad:( I was a MENSA member at the age of 11, so bragging about your "intelligence of a genius" at age 14 means nothing to me. Furthermore, it's most likely not your choice as to whether or not you'll get the vaccine. It's up to your parent(s) or legal guardian, i.e. the adult who is responsible for you; since you're still a minor you aren't legally entitled to make that decision for yourself unless you legally declared yourself to be emancipated. Did you? Also, I would really like to know what makes you scientifically or medically qualified to make such a statement about the vaccine.  You're such a "genius" by the way that you don't know the difference between "their" and the correct word which is "they're," you don't know how to use an ellipsis correctly . . . and you don't know the difference between "goes" and comes." Bless your little heart! 

Covid19 doesn't care what your IQ is. It doesn't care whether you're liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat, white, black, red, yellow, or what country you may live in. It originated from a lab in Wuhan China under nefarious curcumstances. It kills some while hardly affecting others. The symptons vary and the long time problems with this disease can be life changing. Covid19 has disrupted and humbled governments throughout the globe.  I don't care if you live under communist rule or in a democratic republic or working as a research scientist in Antarctica...YOU ARE VULNERABLE!  I know people in their nineties who have survived Covid, others in their thirties who have died. If you throw out preconceived ideas and conspiracy theories and just look at the FACTS accumalated over the past 2 years...your best bet is to get vaccinated. I've been fully vaccinated (including booster) with no problems. My wife refused vaccination and recently spent 10 days in the hospital with Covid. The first 48 hours I was told she probably wouldn't make it.  The Lord was merciful and she is home now with the help of oxygen...her lungs possibly permanently damaged. I guarrantee that everyone who is lying in a hospital bed right now intubated wishes they would have taken the shot! DON'T BE A FOOL! There are thousands of medical scientists throughout the world working tirelessly to defeat this disease.  Jesus Christ talked of pestilence on the earth. The Apostles spoke of perilous times that would come. Our medical community is a gift from God. PLEASE...save yourself from the misery this disease can bring. GET VACCINATED!

ABSOLUTELY!! IT COULDNT HAVE BEEN SAID ANY BETTER!!! The thing I worry about is the people making UNSAFE decisions for their children.  Good conversation, sir!!

Wish your wife well!!!  God Bless!