How Can You Improve Adult Immunization?

Several vaccines are recommended for adults including those for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, tetanus, shingles (herpes zoster), pneumococcus, and hepatitis B. However, the diseases that are preventable by these vaccines continue to cause significant burdens for both individuals and communities due to suboptimal vaccine uptake among adult populations. For example, pneumococcal pneumonia is responsible for an estimated 400,000 hospitalizations each year in the US, yet vaccination rates remain low, particularly among those patients with underlying comorbidities or risk factors. The suboptimal uptake in adult vaccinations can be attributed to several factors, from poor access to vaccine hesitancy, and are influenced by age, ethnicity, socioeconomics, and education. One aspect of vaccine hesitancy that can be addressed in a variety of community settings is frustration with the healthcare community in the failure to validate concerns and engage in constructive conversation that respects views of patients. Community health associates, including but not limited to pharmacists, chiropractors, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, and social workers can help address vaccine hesitancy by providing reliable and relatable information; building trust through personal experiences; facilitating open dialogue within the community; and actively debunking misinformation all while tailoring their approach in the context of how they engage with individuals within the community. Therefore, because professionals in these fields see many individuals on a regular and routine basis with the goal of improving overall health and wellness, they can play a significant role in helping to improve vaccination rates through personal interactions that foster trust and provide time to answer questions and reinforce the importance of vaccination as a vital tool for improving individual and community health.

Educational Objectives
Upon completion of this activity learners should be able to:

• Describe the burden of vaccine preventable diseases such as RSV, influenza, pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, and shingles in adults
• Summarize the latest evidence around available vaccines and describe their role in improving individual and public health
• Identify common misconceptions about vaccines and formulate responses to concerns commonly identified by vaccine-hesitant adults
• Apply community-based strategies to overcome barriers to increasing vaccination rates in at-risk adult populations