The Big Story Shame vs. empathy: addressing vaccine hesitancy
Mar 12, 2026
Dr. Elisabeth Marnik, an immunologist who grew up unvaccinated, shares how personal history and science shaped her work. She discusses confronting childhood beliefs, why empathy beats shame in vaccine conversations, tailoring public health messages, and distinguishing hesitant parents from committed activists. Short, human stories drive her approach.
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Raised Unvaccinated Then Became An Immunologist
- Elisabeth Marnik grew up unvaccinated in an anti-science household and only got her first vaccines at age 23 after studying science.
- She described hesitating about vaccinating her newborn son but chose Hep B after friends reminded her of the evidence and safety.
Empathy Heals Hesitant Relationships
- Compassion and curiosity healed Marnik's relationship with her mother and opened dialogue about vaccination choices.
- Her mother felt dismissed by a pediatrician and chose nonvaccination partly because she couldn't get answers in a way she understood.
Lead With Curiosity And Empathy
- Do lead vaccine conversations with curiosity and empathy rather than dismissal to keep parents engaged.
- Dismissal pushes people toward kinder-sounding but inaccurate sources who will sit with their concerns.