Webinar 1

• Slides
• Handwriting exercise (print me)
• ADKAR worksheet (print me)
• Action plan (print me)

Webinar 2

• Slides
• Action plan (bring from Webinar 1)

Toolkit

• Introduction
• Assess and recommend
• Administer and document
• Resources

After viewing either of the webinars, please complete the evaluation form.

GSA provides support to health care professionals seeking to improve immunization rates in a variety of ways. 

1. Hosting trainings for health care professionals on how to be a change leader in immunization rates. See our Immunization Champions, Advocates, and Mentors Program (ICAMP) page for details. 
2. Providing education on the National Vaccine Advisory Committee Standards for Adult Immunization Practice via our monthly newsletter.
3. Identifying and sharing successes from state and local programs. 

Charting a Path to Increasing Immunization Rates in Long-Term Care

This new publication details results of a stakeholder meeting, held in May 2018, to identify ways to raise to increase immunization rates in skilled nursing care centers and assisted living communities, among both staff and residents. The group reviewed known strategies for improving immunization rates in long-term care, including: Making consent a standard part of the admission process Using a standard form to record all vaccination information Implement standing orders Collecting uniform data on vaccination coverage Enhancing education about vaccine safety and efficacy Using incentive and recognition programs The group also prioritized five action items for next steps, including: Increasing use of mandatory vaccination policies Making vaccination a condition of hire Implementing mandatory vaccination policies for residents Creating tip sheets for billing and best practice Examining existing tools and resources for opportunities to weave immunization into work on existing priorities For more information on implementing a vaccination requirement, the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit offers additional resources.

Aging and Immunity: The Important Role of Vaccines

Published in December 2017, this new guidebook from GSA, the American College of Physicians, and the American Pharmacists Association from GSA, the American College of Physicians, and the American Pharmacists Association is designed to help health care professionals understand the biological impact of aging on immunity and reinforce the importance of adult immunization, especially for vaccine-preventable diseases such as shingles, pneumonia, and influenza. The guidebook also offers practical tips and strategies for supporting aging patients’ health and overcoming barriers to vaccination. Funding for the guidebook was provided by a grant from GlaxoSmithKline.

Adult Immunization: Successful Programs Leading the Way to Higher Rates

On November 7, 2017, GSA hosted a roundtable discussion featuring 3 programs that have been successful in improving adult immunization rates in both health systems and the community. The presentations are listed here. For questions about the program, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

• Welcome and Program Overview- James Appleby, BSPharm, MPH
• Adult Immunization: Where We Are- R. Gordon Douglas, MD
• Reaching full potential: A partnership between community pharmacists and the immunization registry- Betty Chewning, PhD
• Creating a culture of improvement: One health system’s quest to raise its immunization rates- April Green, PharmD
• Deciding to make a change: A state’s approach to improve access to immunizations- Michael Wofford, PharmD

A summary of the meeting, which can be used in presentations is also available. If you would like the PowerPoint version of the summary to use in your own presentation, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thanks to GSK for providing in-kind support for the program. 

While the CDC recommends that all adults get vaccines, adults with chronic conditions are more likely to develop complications, including long-term illness, hospitalization, and even death, from certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Those with chronic conditions need particular focus from health providers to make sure they are up-to-date on the vaccines that are recommended for them.

An October 2018 Call to Action from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases further highlights the underrecognized burden of flu in individuals with chronic conditions. 

Heart Disease

• Why immunize? People with heart disease, or those who have had a stroke, have a higher risk of serious medical complications from the flu, including worsening of their heart disease. People with heart disease are at almost three times higher risk of being hospitalized with flu than those without heart disease.
• What is recommended? Influenza, Tdap, Pneumococcal and Zoster vaccines are recommended by the CDC for most people with heart disease. There may be other vaccines that are recommended based on lifestyle, travel habits, and other factors. 
• Where can I find more information?
  • CDC page on heart disease and adult vaccination
  • HHS page on heart disease and influenza
  • Table of vaccines recommended for adults with heart disease
  • Vaccinations for women with heart disease

Lung Disease

• Why immunize? Adults with COPD or asthma are more likely to get complications from the flu. COPD and asthma cause your airways to swell and become blocked with mucus, which can make it hard to breathe. Certain vaccine preventable diseases can also increase swelling of your airways and lungs. The combination of the two can lead to pneumonia and other serious respiratory illnesses.
• What is recommended? Influenza, Tdap, Pneumococcal and Zoster vaccines are recommended by the CDC for most people with lung disease. There may be other vaccines that are recommended based on lifestyle, travel habits, and other factors. 
• Where can I find more information? 
  • CDC page on lung diseae and adult vaccination
  • Table of vaccines recommended for adults with lung disease
  • American Lung Association Missed Opportunities report

Diabetes

• Why immunize? Diabetes, even if well managed, can make it harder for your immune system to fight infections, so you may be at risk for more serious complications from an illness compared to people without diabetes. Some illnesses, like influenza, can raise your blood glucose to dangerously high levels. People with diabetes have higher rates of hepatitis B than the rest of the population. Outbreaks of hepatitis B associated with blood glucose monitoring procedures have happened among people with diabetes. People with diabetes are at increased risk for death from pneumonia (lung infection), bacteremia (blood infection) and meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord).
• What is recommended?  Influenza, Tdap, Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal and Zoster vaccines are recommended by the CDC for most people with heart disease. There may be other vaccines that are recommended based on lifestyle, travel habits, and other factors. 
• Where can I find more information?
  • CDC page on diabetes and adult vaccination
  • CDC fact sheet on diabetes and adult vaccines
  • Table of vaccines recommended for adults with diabetes
  • American Association of Diabetes Educators fact sheet
  • Diabetes and pneumococccal disease fact sheet

For ready-to-publish articles on adult vaccines, including for adults with chronic conditions, visit the CDC website.