10 michigan MEDICINE® | Nov / Dec 2022 MDHHS UPDATE With the 2022–23 flu season ramping up and the inevitable prospect that the flu and COVID-19 viruses will circulate at the same time, now is the time to ensure that all children are caught up on their vaccines. In accordance with general best practices, routine administration of all age-appropriate doses of vaccines simultaneously is recommended for children, adolescents, and adults for whom no specific contraindications exist at the time of the healthcare visit. Getting patients up to date on vaccines now will prevent illnesses that lead to unnecessary medical visits, hospitalizations, and an additional strain on the healthcare system. Protecting communities from vaccine- preventable diseases is one of the most important things you can do to keep us all healthy and prevent outbreaks. A strong recommendation from a trusted healthcare provider is the best predictor of vaccination. It is now more important than ever to assess vaccination status of all of your patients, at every medical visit, whether the visit Now Is the Time to Get Caught up on Vaccines By Sarah de Ruiter, RN BSN MA, Immunization Nurse Educator, MDHHS Division of Immunization The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted life-saving vaccination at a global level, leaving millions at risk for infection with measles, meningitis, polio, and whooping cough. Now that schools have returned to in-person learning, children need to get caught up on routine vaccinations, so they are protected against serious diseases. Healthcare providers are uniquely positioned to identify families with children who are missing critical doses and contact them to schedule catch-up appointments. is in-person or remote (telephone, online, etc.). Healthcare providers have the knowledge, experience, and authority to make a strong case for vaccination, as well as the trust of their patients. When recommending vaccination, assume that most people will choose to vaccinate. This presumptive approach to recommending vaccination has been proven to be effective. Promptly schedule in-person appointments for catch-up vaccinations. Use
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