You know how challenging it has been to ensure your patients have been kept up to date on their vaccines. As we all prepare for school to start, and the approach of flu season, take advantage of resources from CDC and others to help get everyone up to date!
Resources to encourage routine childhood vaccinations (like the web-ready photo above) are available in English and Spanish.
Many factors contribute to lower vaccination rates, including employment, housing, education, and transportation, among other social determinants of health. Additionally, concerns about vaccinations, including vaccine safety, have contributed to recent declines in vaccination rates. You may have encountered parents or caregivers who may agree only to vaccines mandated for school attendance and forego flu vaccination as a result.
It's not just youngsters! Often adults are not up to date on recommended vaccines
The CDC recommends certain vaccines, including the Tdap, Td, HPV, influenza, and hepatitis B vaccines, for teens and adults based on different age groups. CDC also recommends that adults over the age of 50 receive the shingles vaccine, pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which protect against serious pneumococcal diseases including meningitis and pneumonia. Although significant vaccine-related advancements have been made in the United States, adult vaccination rates still remain low overall, especially among racial and ethnic minority populations, who have been shown to be less likely to be vaccinated against certain diseases than their non-minority counterparts.
During National Immunization Awareness Month, explore and use the resources available for patients, providers, staff, and social media to encourage everyone to stay up to date on routine vaccines!
