From Heartbreak to Hope: Building Vaccine Confidence with Compassion
How one mother's loss is changing the vaccine landscape in Australia.
Yesterday, at the Immunisation Symposium at Perth Children’s Hospital, I had the privilege of listening to Catherine Hughes — Young Australian of the Year (WA 2016, National Finalist 2022), OAM recipient, and passionate vaccine advocate. Her story, born from the devastating loss of her son Riley to whooping cough 10 years ago, continues to ripple across Australia through her work with the Immunisation Foundation of Australia (where she is director) and the Light for Riley campaign.
Here are some key points I took away from her session:
1. Vaccination Conversations Are Not Black and White
Catherine reminded us that every experience with vaccines is personal and nuanced. Vaccination isn’t simply a yes/no issue — it lives in the grey spaces where emotions, concerns, and lived experiences reside.
2. Real-World Impact Beyond Journals
It’s not enough to publish data. Science needs to be translated into the real world through community engagement. As Catherine put it, "Impact is limited if data is confined to journals." I think this is where we struggle most. We must make science accessible by building bridges, not barriers.
3. The ABC of Storytelling
I am all about storytelling. I love it. Catherine offered a framework for how we can communicate more effectively, and this is one that I will keep to remind myself:
Authenticity – Speak honestly and personally.
Balance – Acknowledge concerns; don’t dismiss them.
Clarity – Simplify the complex without losing the truth.
Data – Ground the message in evidence.
Emotion – People remember stories, not spreadsheets.
4. Shaping Positive Vaccine Experiences
Encouraging vaccination is more than facts. It’s about ensuring:
Easy, equitable access
Minimising trauma around vaccination
Communicating clearly, respectfully, and compassionately
5. Trust Takes Time
Changing minds doesn’t happen overnight. Like any relationship, it requires time, consistency, and trust—a long-term investment for a healthier future.
6. Dealing with Opposition
A strategic approach is critical. Ignore some things, but not all.
Ignore direct engagement with hardened activists (it often fuels more conflict).
But don’t ignore broader misinformation trends, political lobbying, or anti-vaccine influences in healthcare spaces.
Deplatforming dangerous misinformation, where appropriate, is an essential public health tool.
7. Language is Powerful
Every word we use matters. Language can either divide or connect. Catherine’s work demonstrates the immense power of respectful, human-centered communication in advancing public health.
Catherine is a powerful reminder that while science saves lives, how we share science determines how many lives we can reach. It’s not just about having the right evidence — it’s about telling the right story, and spreading the word.