National Immunization Awareness Month: Partnering to Protect Patient Health
The Importance of Vaccinations for Frail Adults
As a trusted home health partner, we understand the critical role that vaccinations play in safeguarding the health of frail adults. During National Immunization Awareness Month this August, we emphasize the importance of immunizations in preventing severe illnesses and complications, particularly among vulnerable populations.
The Role of Vaccinations in Frail Adults
Vaccinations are a cornerstone of preventive healthcare, particularly for frail adults who are at a higher risk of complications from infectious diseases. Immunizations help to:
- Prevent Disease: Vaccines prevent diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, and shingles, which can be particularly severe in older and frail adults.
- Reduce Hospitalizations: Immunizations reduce the incidence of hospitalizations due to vaccine-preventable diseases, decreasing the burden on healthcare systems and improving patient outcomes.
- Enhance Quality of Life: By preventing disease, vaccines help maintain the quality of life for frail adults, allowing them to remain more independent and active.
- Community Immunity: Vaccinating frail adults contributes to herd immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical conditions.
Key Statistics on the Impact of Vaccinations
- Influenza: Each year, influenza vaccination prevents an estimated 3.2 million medical visits and 79,000 hospitalizations among adults aged 65 and older (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020).
- Pneumococcal Disease: Vaccination against pneumococcal disease has been shown to reduce the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease by 60-70% in older adults (Jackson et al., 2003).
- Shingles: The shingles vaccine reduces the incidence of shingles by 51% and postherpetic neuralgia by 67% in adults aged 60 years and older (Oxman et al., 2005).
Our Commitment to Vaccine Education and Reminders
As your partner in home health care, we are committed to working collaboratively with you to ensure that your patients are well-informed about the importance of vaccinations. Our services include:
- Educational Outreach: Providing patients with information on the benefits of vaccines and addressing any concerns or misconceptions they may have.
- Personalized Vaccine Schedules: Assisting in the creation of personalized vaccine schedules tailored to each patient’s health status and medical history.
- Timely Reminders: Sending reminders for upcoming vaccinations to ensure patients receive their immunizations on schedule.
- Coordination with Healthcare Providers: Collaborating with healthcare providers to ensure seamless vaccine administration and follow-up care.
By partnering with us, you can enhance your patients’ health and wellbeing through comprehensive vaccination education and support. Together, we can make a significant impact in preventing disease and improving health outcomes for frail adults.
For more information on how we can support your patients’ immunization needs, please contact us.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Estimated influenza illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States — 2019–2020 influenza season. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/2019-2020.html
Jackson, L. A., Neuzil, K. M., Yu, O., Benson, P., Barlow, W. E., Adams, A. L., … & Thompson, R. S. (2003). Effectiveness of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in older adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 348(18), 1747-1755. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa022678
Oxman, M. N., Levin, M. J., Johnson, G. R., Schmader, K. E., Straus, S. E., Gelb, L. D., … & Shingles Prevention Study Group. (2005). A vaccine to prevent herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in older adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 352(22), 2271-2284. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa051016
