Stay Up to Date With AAFP Immunization Resources

Thanks to funding from Merck & Co. Inc., the Academy recently sent all active members full-color copies of the 2023 adult, childhood/adolescent and catch-up immunization schedules, which were developed by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with assistance from the AAFP and several other medical specialty organizations.

For convenience, members can also access the immunization schedules on the AAFP mobile app.

The materials give family physicians the latest vaccine-related information and recommendations, while also serving as a valuable communications tool that FPs can use in the clinic with patients who have questions or concerns about immunizations.

According to Richard Zimmerman, M.D., M.P.H., M.A., M.S., professor of family medicine in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and professor of clinical epidemiology in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences at Pitt's School of Public Health, changes for the schedules include the addition of COVID-19 vaccines; a notice of preference for enhanced influenza vaccines for older adults; and entries for recently approved vaccines for the prevention of hepatitis B and measles, mumps and rubella. These changes, he said, should decrease hospitalizations, conserve resources and reduce deaths.

“I use expanded and enhanced vaccines in my practice to prevent suffering and to save lives,” said Zimmerman.

For patients who express concern about vaccine safety, Zimmerman suggested briefly addressing any particular misconceptions they have, then giving a strong recommendation in favor of vaccination.

“I focus on two direct messages: One, my family and I take these vaccines ourselves; and two, I, the patient’s primary care physician, recommend the vaccine for this particular patient,” he said.

CME Module Addresses Pneumococcal Vaccines

Another ACIP recommendation of interest to family physicians concerns vaccination against pneumococcal disease. In 2021 the FDA approved a 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and a 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, bringing the total number of pneumococcal vaccines licensed for use in the United States to four. While the increased number of vaccines is expected to improve vaccine coverage and reduce the incidence of pneumococcal disease, it has also caused some confusion among clinicians in determining which vaccines to administer based on patient age and vaccination status.

As a result, the Academy (supported by a cooperative agreement from the CDC) has created a free 30-minute, 0.5-credit CME on-demand video for family physicians and other health care professionals that specifically addresses the ACIP recommendations.

The on-demand video features case scenarios designed to increase knowledge of pneumococcal vaccines and develop practices for implementing the recommendations. Individuals may review the education as often as needed to reinforce concepts and effect change in learner competence. 

Participants who complete the activity will be able to identify

• the primary changes, updates and guidance to drive physician-patient dialogue on the importance of the pneumococcal vaccines and adhering to the CDC recommendations;
• evidence-based interventions and techniques to improve pneumococcal vaccination rates among adults 65 years and older, and for adults 19-64 with certain underlying medical conditions or other risk factors;
• information to build confidence, and address hesitancy and vaccine safety within the targeted patient population; and
• educational materials on the updates to the pneumococcal vaccine recommendations.

Zimmerman, who serves as speaker for the CME video, said that although pneumococcal vaccine recommendations are complex, vaccination will reduce illness and deaths from pneumococcal disease. Along with the module and the AAFP mobile app, he recommended that clinicians download the CDC’s PneumoRecs Vax Advisor mobile app to help determine which vaccines patients need and when.

More Resources Coming Soon

The AAFP is developing additional educational programs on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in young children and the importance of maternal immunizations. Watch the Academy’s CME webpage for these and other programs as they are published.