(HARTFORD, CONN. WTIC)-The ability to listen is key to discussing and not debating vaccine hesitancy, says Hartford Healthcare Clinical Psychologist Jim O'Dea, M.D, Vice President of the Behavioral Health Network.
"What is constructive is to genuinely get inside the way someone is thinking, by putting aside our perspective and by asking real probing questions.", he said.
O'Dea says rarely will a person change their mind, but they could be open to considering someone else's point of view.
He acknowledged that history, race, political affiliation, anti-science sentiments and socioeconomic status contribute to vaccine hesitancy.
With the surging Delta variant, O'Dea says it's important for vaccinations to protect the community.
