MyChart®
Updated on: Oct 17, 2025
Summary
Host Dr. Jorge Otañez, TrueCare’s Associate Chief Medical Officer, sits down with Dr. Kelsey Carrio to talk about what actually helps patients say yes to vaccines: trust, clear conversations, and meeting people where they are. Published during Hispanic Heritage Month, the episode explores real barriers patients face and practical ways providers help people move from hesitation to action.
Key Takeaways
Trust beats fear. When care feels like family and explanations are clear, decisions get easier. Cost worries, language gaps, and “I’d rather not know” can delay visits, but low-cost options, on-site pharmacies, insurance enrollment support, and mobile clinics change the equation. Short daily movement, adding more color to your plate with fruits and vegetables, and 7 to 8 hours of sleep still matter more than hacks.
What We Covered
Patients don’t arrive as blank slates; they arrive with stories, obligations, and sometimes a backlog of questions. “Sometimes the prescription they need is just a social visit,” Dr. Otañez says, and you can hear it in the way both clinicians talk about showing up. Dr. Carrio describes the resilience she sees daily and the power of taking it one step at a time for people who’ve put off care.
Language is a turning point. When Dr. Carrio walks in and greets someone in Spanish, the visit changes. “Oh, you speak Spanish—now I can ask all the questions I’ve had for three visits.” That moment unlocks care, and it’s why having more than 60% bilingual staff matters. It shortens the distance between worry and plan.
Hesitancy isn’t stubbornness; it’s often risk management with bad inputs. Social feeds tell people vaccines make you sick or aren’t necessary. The reality is less dramatic: soreness or fatigue is a sign the immune system is doing its job, and serious reactions are rare. When someone is due for multiple shots, the advice is practical, not pushy: start with the most important today and schedule the others. One of Dr. Carrio’s favorite stories ends with a daughter convincing her dad to finally get his flu shot—sometimes the nudge comes from home.
Flu season is long, and access matters. You can get vaccines at our health centers or at mobile events that bring care into neighborhoods. If cost is a concern, ask about low-cost options and help with insurance enrollment. For general fitness questions, Dr. Otañez notes that exercising while fasting is usually safe for healthy people, but anyone with diabetes, insulin use, or certain medications should check with their provider first.
About the Guest
Kelsey Carrio, MD, is TrueCare’s Associate Clinical Director for Adult Medicine and a primary care provider at TrueCare Oceanside. Her work focuses on preventive care, patient education, and addressing vaccine hesitancy with clear, compassionate conversations.
Educational information only; not a substitute for personal medical advice. Talk with your provider about what’s right for you and your health care needs.
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