Clinical Module on Immunizations

Block preventable disease

• Review vaccination status with patients and encourage age-dependent vaccines like pneumococcus, shingles, and tetanus.
• Recommend seasonal or periodic vaccines like influenza, COVID-19, or RSV.
• Engage patients in discussions about vaccination, addressing safety concerns and describing the benefits of immunization.

Published Materials

• Summary Brochure
• Evidence Document
• Reference Card
• Q&A Sheet for Patients
• Immunization Recommendation Pad

Immunization is a powerful tool to prevent disease. Despite the impact of vaccination, opportunities remain to increase immunization rates in older adults.

Proportion of adults age ≥ 65 who have not received recommended doses.^1-4,

In June 2024, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended key changes to the immunization schedule for older adults.

Vaccine recommendations for immunocompetent older adults⁵

Use a motivational interviewing framework to help increase vaccine uptake

1. Ask permission to talk about vaccination.
2. Elicit the patient’s perception about the vaccine
3. Respond to question or concerns

Continue to engage patients in discussions about vaccination.

Clinician resources

• ACIP recommended vaccine schedule
• Immunize.org – clinician tools, patient education and more to support your practice
• Translated Vaccine Information Sheets

Information current at time of publication, July 2024.

The content of this website is educational in nature and includes general recommendations only; specific clinical decisions should only be made by a treating clinician based on the individual patient’s clinical condition.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza vaccination coverage,
   adults April 12, 2024; www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccination-adult-coverage.html. Accessed June 4, 2024.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult coverage and intent: COVID-19. May 2, 2024; www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz managers/coverage/covidvaxview/interactive/adultcoverage-vaccination.html. Accessed May 21, 2024.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV Vax View. May 14, 2024; www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/rsvvaxview/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2024.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccination coverage among adults. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/adultvaxview/data-reports/general-population/index.html. Accessed May 21, 2024.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Addendum updated June 27, 2024). Nov 16, 2023; www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html. Accessed July 8, 2024.