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.

Practice Standards for All Healthcare Professionals

From CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/hcp-toolkit/adult-immunization-standards.html

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 have in stock.
• Refer patients to providers in the area who give vaccines that you do not 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.