From Medscape Expert Commentary:
The Standards for Adult Immunization Practice call on all healthcare professionals to take these 4 steps and use every opportunity to improve immunization of your patients:
1. Implement procedures in your office to ensure that your patients’ vaccine needs are routinely reviewed based on the latest CDC vaccine recommendations for adults.
2. Share a strong recommendation with your patients for the vaccines they need. Address any patient questions or concerns and explain the benefits of getting vaccinated and potential costs of getting the diseases that the vaccines protect against.
3. For vaccines that you stock, make vaccination services as convenient as possible for your patients. For vaccines that you don’t stock, refer patients to providers in the area who offer vaccination services.
4. Make sure to document vaccines received by your patients. Participate in your states’ immunization registry to help your office, your patient, and your patients’ other providers know which vaccines your patients have had.
Whether you provide immunization services or not, you can play a critical role in ensuring that your patients have the best protection against serious — and sometimes deadly — vaccine-preventable diseases.
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