The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) revised the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice in 2013. These updated Standards call on ALL healthcare professionals – whether they provide vaccinations or not – to take steps to help ensure that their adult patients are fully immunized.
- ASSESS immunization status of all your patients at every clinical encounter.
- Stay informed. Get the latest CDC recommendations for immunization of adults.
- Implement protocols and policies. Ensure that patients’ vaccine needs are routinely reviewed and patients get reminders about vaccines they need.
- Strongly RECOMMEND vaccines that patients need.
- Share tailored reasons why vaccination is right for the patient.
- Highlight positive experiences with vaccination.
- Address patient questions and concerns.
- Remind patients that vaccines protect them and their loved ones against a number of common and serious diseases.
- Explain the potential costs of getting sick.
- ADMINISTER or REFER your patients to a vaccination provider.
- Offer the vaccines you stock.
- Refer patients to providers in the area that offer vaccines that you don’t stock.
- DOCUMENT vaccines received by your patients.
- Participate in your state’s immunization registry. Help your office, your patients, and your patients’ other providers know which vaccines your patients have had.
- Follow up. Confirm that patients received recommended vaccines that you referred them to get from other immunization providers.
The above standards come directly from the CDC. Use of that language does not constitute endorsement by the CDC of this app.
For more information on these Practice Standards, including printable fact sheets and additional resources, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-adults/hcp/imz-standards/index.html
The following are the recommended vaccines for older adults, over 65 years old.1
1ACIP Adult Immunizations Schedule 2024. These recommendations must be read along with the information provided below. Note ACIP has recommendations for varicella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal and haemophilus influenza type b vaccines that include the ≥65 years age group for persons with an additional risk factor or another indication. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-schedules/adult-easyread.html