A publication of the Immunization Action Coalition of WA (IACW) and WithinReach
August 2019
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IMMUNITY COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH
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E-course:
Drop Your Assumptions and Pick Up the Evidence
Strategies for Communication with Parents about Vaccines
We are excited to announce the recent release of this free, hour-long continuing education course!
Designed for health care providers who encounter parents with concerns regarding vaccines. This course describes several characteristics of vaccine-hesitant parents, the importance and role of providers in parental vaccine decision-making and reviews communication strategies to address concerns of vaccine hesitant parents.
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NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH
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PROVIDER PRIMER: PREP FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL
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August is a critical opportunity for providers to increase vaccination, especially in adolescent populations through sports physicals, well child visits and other screenings. Washington state providers including the PolyClinic have achieved significant increases in childhood and adolescent immunization rates through implementation of the below recommendations:
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Identify appropriate patients
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- Implement reminder/recall programs – well child, specific problem areas, all those with missing vaccines, HPV 2nd dose
- Communicate to patients through messaging in the office, newsletters, patient portals, social media etc.
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- Prepare for higher patient volume
- Add standing orders
- Create a clinic culture to drive home the importance of vaccination, including that HPV is cancer prevention
- Ensure providers are equipped to handle parent questions (see resources)
- Extend operating hours for evening or weekend visits.
- Well child visits rather than sports physicals
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- Ensure all providers are comfortable making a strong bundled/presumptive recommendation.
- From the CDC: “Your preteen needs three vaccines today to protect against meningitis, HPV cancer, and pertussis”
- Ensure there are appropriate patient education materials in the rooms (see resources)
- Provide patient records and remind of vaccines due soon
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Documentation & assessment
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- Capture what is discussed, including any refusals – agree to continue the conversation if refused or unsure
- Compare to prior year summer month volumes to document improvements in rates – share with all in office
- Re-assess in 6 months to see progress
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*Recommendations and resources courtesy of the HPV Task Force - Best Practices Committee
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Researchers at the University of Colorado are studying community members who are vaccine advocates.
As you probably know, there are increasing attitudes of vaccine hesitancy in the United States. There has also been an increase in vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks this year.
They are interested in learning more about the characteristics and motivations of people, like you, who advocate for vaccines in order to gain a better understanding of this group.
Your participation in this
brief 5-10 minute,
anonymous survey
is optional and your survey data will be stored securely to protect your privacy.
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NORTHWEST IMMUNIZATION CONFERENCE
August 13-15, 2019
Portland, OR
IDAHO IMMUNIZATION SUMMIT 2019
September 25, 2019
Meridian, ID
WASHINGTON STATE IMMUNIZATION SUMMIT
October 8, 2019
Lynnwood, WA
2019 NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR IMMUNIZATION COALITIONS & PARTNERSHIPS
November 13-15, 2019
Honolulu, HI
Accepting abstracts for breakout sessions through 6/30/19
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HPV Cancer Resources
HPV cancer survivor and vaccination advocate, Stewart Lyman, created a website with valuable information and resources related to HPV.
www.hpvcancerresources.org
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Immunization
Certificate of Exemption Form
The Department of Health has updated the Certificate of Exemption (COE) to reflect the new requirements.
It is currently available
here in multiple languages. The certificate will be available in other languages sometime in June.
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Producing Prevention: The Complex Development of Vaccines
courtesy of the online MPH program from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University.
Learn more
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CDC PinkBook Webinar Series
August 7, 14, 21 & 28
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This online series of 15 webinars provides an overview of the principles of vaccination, general recommendations, immunization strategies for providers, and specific information about vaccine-preventable diseases and the vaccines that prevent them. Space is limited to 1,500 registrants. CEs are available.
Register here
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Vaccine Administration, Storage and Handling
August 8, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT
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The proper storage and handling of vaccines are important for pharmacist-based immunization clinics. The speaker for this knowledge-based webinar will discuss the latest guidelines on the proper storage, handling, and administration of vaccines.
Register here
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Strategies for Addressing Vaccine Misinformation
August 28th, 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
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Join PHF and immunization experts from CDC during National Immunization Awareness Month .
Register here
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QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS?
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Making the connections Washington families need to be healthy and safe. Promoting, protecting & supporting immunization as a vital part of the health and development of children and families.
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Founded in 1994, the Immunization Action Coalition of Washington (IACW), a program of WithinReach, works to improve the health of the community by minimizing the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases through the optimal use of immunizations across the lifespan.
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