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Keeping clinic staff up to date with current recommendations. For example, you can: |
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Post the U.S. official immunization schedules in exam rooms and adhere to the recommendations. |
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Use the "catch-up" schedules when patients fall behind. |
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Know about vaccination needs of high-risk patients. |
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Assuring complete, up-to-date patient records. Examples include: |
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Participate in your state immunization registry. |
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Ask your patients about vaccinations received outside your office. |
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Review vaccination records each time your patient comes in. |
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Maintaining and protecting your vaccine supply. Make sure that: |
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There is a designated vaccine storage and handling coordinator in your office. |
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All staff is trained in how to safeguard your clinic's vaccine supply. |
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Getting patients ready for their vaccinations. You can: |
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Have your patients fill out screening checklists for vaccine contraindications before you see them, which will save you time. |
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Assure all medical and office staff are trained to recognize true vaccine contraindications so they do not miss opportunities to vaccinate. |
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Hand out Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) once you've assessed which vaccinations are needed and give VISs to patients ahead of time so they have time to read them. |
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Assuring complete, up-to-date patient records. Examples include: |
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Participate in your state immunization registry. |
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Ask your patients about vaccinations received outside your office. |
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Review vaccination records each time your patient comes in. |
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Avoiding "missed opportunities." Take time to: |
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Review immunization records prior to the patient visit to “flag” the record if vaccines are due/overdue. |
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Recommend that your patients receive ALL vaccines that are needed at the time of the visit. Don't delay or postpone them unless there is an appropriate reason to do so. |
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Improving access to clinic services. Ideas include: |
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Consider making vaccinations available during evenings or weekends. |
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Provide walk-in "nurse only" visits for vaccinations. |
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Use standing orders when appropriate to expedite vaccine delivery. |
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Communicating with patient. Be sure to: |
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Give handouts to patients showing the vaccination schedule recommended for them. |
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Give them a copy of their immunization record each time they receive vaccines. |
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Tell them when their next doses are due. |
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Evaluating and improving your clinic's performance. Establish systems to: |
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Assess your clinic's records to confirm that you are vaccinating your patients appropriately and on schedule (your state/local immunization program staff may be able to provide assistance in this assessment or offer tools you can use yourself). |
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Enroll in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, if you have not already done so. |
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ACIP Recommendations
Vaccine Information Statements 
