Laurie Archbald-Pannone, MD, led a new study examining how to get more older adults vaccinated.
A clear endorsement from their healthcare provider and being supplied information about recommended vaccines before their clinic visit spurred more older Americans to get vaccinated, a new University of Virginia School of Medicine study found.
Because immune systems age like the rest of the body, older adults are at higher risk for poor outcomes from infections. But only 15% of Americans ages 50 and older and 25% of Americans ages 65 and older are up to date on all recommended vaccines, including flu, RSV, tetanus and pneumococcal disease.
In the study, six primary care clinics across America piloted a new approach to boosting vaccination rates. This included providing patients a decision-making ahead of their clinic visit that listed vaccination recommendations and encouraged the patients to share concerns about getting vaccinated. After using the tool, 79% of patients said they were willing to get vaccinated, compared with 68% beforehand.
The approach also featured collaborative learning sessions where patients and healthcare providers discussed patients’ concerns and barriers to getting vaccinated. Sixty-three percent of patients in the study said that a strong recommendation from their healthcare provider would motivate them to get vaccinated.
“The vaccination schedule for older adults, like for pediatric patients, can be confusing – to know what is needed and when,” said Laurie Archbald-Pannone, MD, a UVA Health geriatrician and lead author of the study. “Patients in the study reported that a clear recommendation from their healthcare provider was most impactful in getting them vaccinated.”
Opening New Conversations
Of the 116 patients surveyed, 60% said they had not regularly discussed barriers to vaccination with their healthcare provider before participating in the study. The most cited barriers included knowing which vaccines were needed; paying for vaccinations; keeping track of vaccines and when they were due; concerns about side effects; and getting transportation to receive a vaccine.
After using the shared decision-making tool, 79% of patients in the study said they discussed their vaccination concerns more or much more than during previous visits.
“Clear information and good discussions about vaccines between patients and their care providers is critical to getting older adults vaccinated,” Archbald-Pannone said.
Findings Published
The researchers have published their findings in the scientific journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases. The research team consisted of Archbald-Pannone, Angie D. Settle, Leah Molloy, Laura Simone, Chris Napolitan, Jeffrey D. Carter, Jacqueline Maytorena and Kelly E. Pillinger.
The study was supported by biopharma company GSK LLC.
To keep up with the latest medical research news from UVA, subscribe to the Making of Medicine blog.
