Colorado is facing a critical moment, both for immunizations and trust in healthcare as a whole. As of April 30, 2026, the U.S. is dealing with myriad challenges in the immunization landscape, from infectious disease outbreaks to erosion of evidence-based policy. So far this year, there have been 1,803 confirmed measles cases in 37 states, with 17 cases in Colorado. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based tool that providers, health educators, and public health professionals at all levels can utilize to help increase trust in the healthcare system and to more effectively communicate with the public.
This 1.5 hour interactive session will summarize the history of anti-vaccine rhetoric in the United States, the current immunization landscape in Colorado, and common misconceptions about individuals who question vaccines; attendees will spend the majority of the session learning how to utilize MI in a variety of vaccine-related contexts. Presenters will discuss the use of presumptive language in vaccine recommendations and the core steps of MI: Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summary (OARS). Participants will have the opportunity to learn MI utilizing group discussion, one-on-one role play, and practice scenarios. Skills built during this session will be measured through a pre- and post-test that will measure knowledge of basic MI concepts and individuals’ self-efficacy in utilizing the skills they learned in their role.
This session is relevant to public health professionals, regardless of whether they deal with immunizations on a daily basis. The concepts and communication tactics taught in this session will be applicable to many areas of health behavior change, and participants will be encouraged to apply what they learn to their area of work. MI is an exceptionally powerful interpersonal communication strategy that perfectly embodies the conference theme of “Stronger Together” because it works to bring health educators and the public closer together, one conversation at a time. With vaccination rates declining and confidence waning, this tool is critical for protecting Colorado communities. MI fundamentally centers empathy, increases trust, and focuses conversations on what unites us, rather than what divides us.
