Immunization Technical Assistance

Motivational interviewing trainings

These trainings are sponsored by the Oregon Health Authority's Transformation Center in partnership with Boost Oregon.

Virtual, one-hour webinars

Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy: Lessons from Motivational Interviewing

This one-hour webinar introduces the underlying philosophy and core skills of Motivational Interviewing as they apply to vaccine conversations. Participants will learn how using open questions, affirmations, reflective listening and recognizing autonomy can foster trust and collaboration. This session will also cover the use of the Ask-Offer-Ask framework for sharing vaccine information in a way that respects choice and encourages meaningful dialogue. Facilitated by Carrie Bader, MPH, Boost Oregon's training director.

• Audience: Health care providers and immunizers
• Register for February 25 (noon–1 p.m.)

Empathy in Action: Vaccine Conversations Across Cultures

Vaccine hesitancy is often connected to cultural identity and can be rooted in a wide range of factors, including historical trauma, religious practices and/or political beliefs. This one-hour virtual session will review specific examples of culture-based reasons for vaccine hesitancy, how to broach this topic in a respectful manner, and how to use skills of Motivational Interviewing to promote vaccination in a culturally sensitive manner. Facilitated by Carrie Bader, MPH, Boost Oregon's training director and Caroline Nguyen Ticarro, Boost Oregon's executive director.

• Audience: This session is designed for people with some knowledge of Motivational Interviewing but is open to all.
• Register for March 11 (noon–1 p.m.)
• Register for March 18 (noon–1 p.m.)

In-person, full-day workshops

Navigating Vaccine Conversations: The Motivational Interviewing Approach

This comprehensive workshop is designed to equip health care providers with essential skills for effective vaccine discussions. This program offers an in-depth introduction to the principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI), focusing on its application to conversations about vaccines.

Participants will engage in interactive activities and real-world scenarios that illustrate the core concepts of MI, emphasizing collaboration and empathy. They will learn to skillfully use questions and reflective listening to encourage meaningful dialogue with patients. Additionally, the workshop covers approaches for providing information and advice that align with MI principles, ensuring that interactions are supportive and patient centered.

Continuing medical education: The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has reviewed Navigating Vaccine Conversations: The Motivational Interviewing Approach and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit. Term of approval is from 10/01/2025 to 10/01/2026. AAFP Members should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Facilitator: Carrie Bader, MPH, Boost Oregon Motivational Interviewing trainer

Audience: Health care providers and immunizers

Training dates and locations: 

• Portland:
  • April 30, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Portland State Office Building, Room 177, 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland, OR
  • Register for Portland training
• Medford:
  • May 20, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Smullin Health Education Center, Lecture Hall 1, 2825 E. Barnett Road, Medford, OR
  • Register for Medford training
• Bend:
  • June 5, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Central Oregon Community College, Health Careers Center, Room 230, 2600 NW College Way, Bend, OR
  • Register for Bend training
    

Questions and accommodation requests

Training questions: Please reach out to Boost Oregon at training@boostoregon.org.

Accommodation requests: Please request accommodations related to disability or interpreter services at least two days in advance to the Transformation Center at Transformation.Center@odhsoha.oregon.gov or 503-381-1104 (voice and text). We accept all relay calls. We will make every effort to provide services to requests received less than two days in advance. Please submit your request as early as possible. 

Childhood and adolescent immunization guidance and resources

CCO guidance

Resources for providers working with vaccine-hesitant parents

1. Boost Oregon: A parent-led community that educates Oregonians about the safety and benefits of childhood vaccinations.
• Videos answering parents' questions about vaccines
• Community resources and fact sheets
• Motivational interviewing training options for providers
  
2. CDC: Provider resources to help health care professionals start or continue vaccine conversations with parents
   
• Resources with proven communication strategies and tips for effectively addressing questions from parents, as well as information for parents who choose not to vaccinate
  
3. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center: Complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines to parents and healthcare professionals.
   
• Vaccine updates for health care professionals, including webinars with CMEs
  
• Vaccine safety resources
  
4. Oregon Pacific Areas Health Education Center (OPAHEC): Training, including recorded webinars, to help immunization providers make effective recommendations for the HPV vaccine and answer parent’s questions. 
   
   • OPAHEC website
   • OPAHEC YouTube channel
     

Quality improvement technical assistance for immunization providers

Training and quality improvement support for childhood and adolescent immunizations may be available through the Oregon Immunization Program's Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers (IQIP) program. More resources are available on the Immunization Providers page.

Contact

To request more information about prior technical assistance for these metrics, contact the Transformation Center at Transformation.Center@odhsoha.oregon.gov.