CDC’s Standards for Adult Immunization Practice

CDC’s Standards for Adult Immunization Practice call on ALL healthcare professionals — whether they provide vaccinations or not — to take steps to help ensure that their adult patients are fully immunized. These steps are outlined below.

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.

  • View CDC vaccine assessment fact sheet here.

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.

  • View CDC vaccine recommendation fact sheet here.

ADMINISTER or REFER your patients to a vaccination provider.

  • Offer the vaccines you stock.

  • Refer patients to providers in the area that offer vaccines that you don’t stock.

  • View CDC vaccine administration fact sheet here.

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.

  • View CDC vaccine documentation fact sheet here.