[Talking with parents about vaccines, a challenge for the primary care physician]

In order to improve vaccine coverage of children in Switzerland, physicians hold an essential role in communicating with hesitating parents. To do so, they must have well-referenced knowledge and provide written information to parents. They may also need sometimes to negotiate individual, more flexible, childhood immunization plans. Parents are faced with a wide range of information via the internet and the media, some of which pledges against vaccination. Physicians must be prepared and have knowledge of the main arguments set forward by anti-vaccine movements before discussing with parents. The use of techniques such as adding a personal touch to the discussion, or adapting the principles of motivational interviewing to immunization will help physician guiding the parent towards an informed choice, favorable to the child's vaccination.