Have you convinced your Australian family or friends to get the Covid vaccine?

As hesitancy continues over Covid vaccinations, we want to know about the conversations you’re having with your family and friends over the jab. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

With vaccine hesitancy in Australia on the rise and misinformation swirling, how do you convince friends and family who are fearful or sceptical that they should get the jab?

Health experts say a lack of powerful, targeted public health advertising hasn’t helped the situation, while nurses and doctors say they have also been restricted from promoting the vaccines because, under the Therapeutic Goods Act, they are prohibited from providing information that could be seen as promoting or advertising a particular drug.

I did a whole Twitter thread on questions I’ve had about Covid vaccines. I just feel like there are too many misconceptions not to speak up about how safe these vaccines are. https://t.co/zzUhuyr2sg

— Dr Kate Gregorevic (@DrKGregorevic) May 28, 2021

It means people having those conversations with loved ones who are vaccine-hesitant need to rely on their own research and communication skills to convince them that the vaccines are overall safe and effective.

As public health and vaccine communication expert professor Julie Leask points out, hesitancy isn’t the only driver of low vaccine uptake; supply and distribution issues, confusion about how to get vaccinated, difficulties in accessing the online booking system, and being unable to find time off work all play a role.

That is an accurate description of the TGA restrictions. Although I am generally a rule follower, and afraid of TGA sanctions, I have decided that public health has to come first.
I support and promote Covid vaccination.

— Karen Magraith (@KarenMagraith) May 28, 2021

But for those who do find themselves having a conversation with someone fearful of the Covid vaccines, or who are sceptical about them, it can be tough to respond to misinformation.

We want to hear from our readers about successful conversations you’ve had with those who are hesitant to get a vaccine. How did you manage to change their mind about the vaccine? What worked and what didn’t? Share your experience in the comments below, and we will highlight some of the most useful contributions.

Out for dinner with ‘not yet eligible for #COVID19 vaccine’ friends and on the receiving end of misinformation on Saturday night. See many heads nodding in agreement and wonder where to start! We must see more resources that support peer to peer inoculation against these rumours!

— A/Prof Holly Seale (@hollyseale) May 30, 2021