Vaccinating Through the Lifespan
Most adults are not aware that they need vaccines throughout their lives. Your recommendation is a critical factor in whether your patients receive the vaccines they need. For some patients, providing a clear strong recommendation will be sufficient to accept vaccination, especially if you have a long and/or trusting relationship. Others may have questions or be more hesitant. Having regular assessments and ongoing conversations about vaccines can help reinforce the importance of immunization throughout the lifespan. Just because a patient refuses the vaccine at one visit does not mean that the patient will refuse it at a future visit, so continue to recommend needed vaccines!
Patients vary in their communication preferences, including what type of information they want, the level of detail they need, and how they best process information. The resources below, in various formats, can help you educate patients about recommended vaccines.
Vaccine Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendations
Standards for Adult Immunization Practice
Vaccine Recommendation: A Series on Standards for Adult Immunization Practice
Factsheets for Adult Vaccines—Addressing Common Questions
Vaccine Information Statements
Professional Association Resources
Immunization: Challenges and Solutions Video
Immunization Action Coalition
Vaccine Information Statements (>40 Languages)
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Medscape Internal Medicine © 2015
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Cite this: How to Give a Strong Recommendation to Adult Patients Who Require Vaccination - Medscape - Apr 16, 2015.
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