Maximize Impact During National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) in August highlights the importance of vaccination for all patient groups. By implementing key strategies during NIAM and throughout the year, you can significantly impact vaccination rates and protect your patients from preventable diseases.

Why Your Recommendation Matters

Many patients seek reassurance from their health care providers regarding vaccine safety and efficacy. A clear and confident recommendation from you can often be the deciding factor for patients choosing to get vaccinated.

Here are some actionable strategies you can integrate into your practice during NIAM to promote routine vaccinations:

• Assess Vaccination Status at Every Visit: Proactively discuss any missed vaccines during each visit. This is especially important for the flu vaccine, as the second dose is often missing for the Childhood Immunization Status, Combo-10 measure.
• Use Clear and Accessible Language: Plain language ensures patients understand vaccine safety and effectiveness.
• Implement the SHARE Approach for more effective patient communication:
• Share the tailored reasons why the recommended vaccine is right for the patient given his or her age, health status, lifestyle, occupation, or other risk factors.

• Highlight the positive benefits of vaccines to boost the confidence of those patients who may be hesitant about receiving a vaccination.
• Address patient questions and any concerns about the vaccine, including side effects, safety, and effectiveness in plain and understandable language.
• Remind patients that vaccines protect them and their loved ones from many common and serious diseases.
• Explain the potential costs of getting the disease, including serious health effects, time lost (such as missing work or family obligations), and financial impact.

Specific Considerations for Key Patient Groups

• Pregnant Patients
• Emphasize the importance of the annual flu shot for pregnant patients, ideally by the end of October, to protect them before flu activity increases.
• Clearly recommend Tdap and flu vaccines, explaining that vaccination is the best way to protect both patients and their baby against serious illnesses like whooping cough and flu.
• For more in-depth strategies, refer to Vaccinating Pregnant Patients.
• Parents
• Adopt a presumptive approach: Instead of asking “What do you want to do about vaccination today?”, say “Your child needs these vaccines today.”
• Educate parents about the robust vaccine safety monitoring systems in place in the United States. Share resources to reinforce the safety of vaccines.
• Additional Resource: Reference our recent newsletter article about Disease Prevention with Childhood and Adolescent Immunizations for more information.
• Adults
• Recognize that adult vaccination rates are low, often due to a lack of awareness. Your recommendation can significantly increase vaccination rates in this population.
• For more talking points to help you when recommending vaccines to your adult patients, visit 5 Reasons It Is Important for Adults to Get Vaccinated.

By implementing these strategies, you can make a significant difference in vaccination rates and protect your patients from preventable diseases.