Why I Changed My Mind On Vaccinations | Danielle Stringer | TEDxGrandCanyonUniversity

Summary

In this compelling story, pediatric nurse practitioner Danny Stringer, known as the 'Kid Nurse,' shares her personal journey from being vaccine-hesitant to becoming a passionate advocate for vaccination. Reflecting on her own experiences and the emotional toll of caring for children affected by preventable diseases, she emphasizes the importance of empathy in vaccine discussions. By highlighting both the science behind vaccines and the need for kinder, more compassionate communication, she calls for a shift in how the vaccine debate is framed, urging parents and healthcare providers to approach it with understanding and support.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Danny Stringer, also known as the Kid Nurse, shares her personal journey from vaccine hesitancy to advocating for vaccinations after her experiences in pediatric care.
• 😀 In 2015, a major measles outbreak at Disneyland highlighted the dangers of vaccine hesitancy, leading to widespread media coverage of the issue.
• 😀 Danny became the youngest pediatric nurse practitioner in the world at the age of 18, which led her to develop the Kid Nurse blog to provide trustworthy pediatric information.
• 😀 Her first blog post, 'My Journey Leaving the Anti-Vaccination Movement,' admitted her past skepticism towards vaccines, based on misinformation and fears like autism and big pharma.
• 😀 Throughout her nursing career, Danny witnessed firsthand the severe consequences of preventable diseases like meningitis, pertussis, and rotavirus, which solidified her support for vaccinations.
• 😀 The rise of vaccine hesitancy in the last 20 years has made it crucial for healthcare providers to address parents' concerns with understanding and compassion.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on how science and communication about vaccines need to be balanced to reach vaccine-hesitant parents, emphasizing that the way we talk about vaccines is just as important as the information itself.
• 😀 There are three main categories of parents regarding vaccines: advocates, compliant parents, and hesitant parents, each with different levels of acceptance and concerns about vaccinations.
• 😀 The risks associated with vaccines are minimal compared to the life-saving benefits they offer, as vaccines prevent diseases that can have devastating consequences.
• 😀 The vaccine debate is not about being 'pro-vaccine' versus 'anti-vaccine,' but about fostering respectful dialogue to address parents' fears and questions without villainizing them.
• 😀 Danny advocates for using science, kindness, and patience in the vaccine conversation to help parents make informed decisions, especially for their children's health and safety.

Q & A

What was the turning point that led the author to change her stance on vaccines?

The author changed her stance on vaccines after researching extensively for her master's thesis, where she couldn't find enough credible evidence to support the claims of vaccines harming children. She realized the substantial power vaccines have in saving lives, especially after personally caring for children suffering from preventable diseases.

How did the author’s personal history with vaccines influence her perspective?

The author grew up in a family where vaccine hesitancy was prevalent. She was initially skeptical of vaccines and even considered avoiding them for her future career. However, her own education and experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner led her to understand the importance of vaccines in preventing life-threatening diseases.

What specific incidents in the author's career helped her realize the importance of vaccines?

The author witnessed the devastating effects of preventable diseases on children, such as a child who had to have amputations after contracting meningitis, a baby fighting pertussis, and a toddler severely dehydrated from rotavirus. These experiences solidified her belief in the life-saving benefits of vaccines.

How does the author suggest changing the conversation about vaccines?

The author advocates for depolarizing the vaccine debate, emphasizing that the way we communicate about vaccines is just as important as the information itself. She encourages a more compassionate, understanding approach that acknowledges parents’ concerns and supports them with factual, empathetic communication.

What does the author say about the vaccine debate in America?

The author believes that the vaccine debate in America is broken, often reduced to an all-or-nothing stance. She stresses that many parents fall into different categories of vaccine acceptance and that the debate should be more nuanced, with a focus on dialogue rather than division.

What are the three categories of parents the author identifies regarding vaccines?

The author identifies three categories of parents: vaccine advocates, who strongly support vaccination; vaccine compliant parents, who vaccinate due to external recommendations but may have unanswered questions; and vaccine hesitant parents, who delay or refuse vaccines until their concerns are addressed.

How does the author respond to the criticism she received for her first blog post on vaccines?

The author expresses that she encountered both vehement support and hostility for her post. While she was disheartened by the anger, she acknowledges that the tone and delivery of the vaccine message is critical and advocates for a more respectful and kind approach to vaccine education.

What is the importance of understanding the risks and benefits of vaccines, according to the author?

The author emphasizes the need to understand the risk-benefit ratio when it comes to vaccines. She points out that the risks of vaccines are minimal compared to the benefits, such as preventing life-threatening diseases and saving millions of lives each year.

What does the author believe is the true risk of not vaccinating children?

The author argues that the true risk of not vaccinating is far greater than the risk of receiving vaccines, citing the death or disability that can result from preventable diseases. She illustrates this with emotional stories, including children who suffered due to diseases that could have been avoided with vaccination.

What does the author ultimately want parents to understand about vaccines?

The author wants parents to understand that vaccines are one of the most powerful tools available to protect children from preventable diseases. She urges them to seek information, ask questions, and make informed decisions, but she also stresses the importance of not being swayed by fear or misinformation.