Simple strategies boost vaccination rates for seniors

A recent study shows that simple strategies can help increase vaccination rates among adults over 65. The study, published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases, found that reading a vaccine guide in a doctor's office can motivate older patients to get vaccinated. Older adults are at a higher risk for serious infections but often have lower vaccination rates. According to CDC data from 2022, only about 15% of adults aged 60-64 and 26% of those aged 65 and older are current on recommended vaccinations. Researchers worked with six primary care clinics in the U.S. to test two methods to improve these rates. The study involved 249 patients. Some received a two-page vaccine discussion guide to read while waiting for their appointment. Others were invited to attend an educational session after their visit. The guide included information on recommended vaccines, questions patients might have, and checkboxes to mark their vaccination status. In the educational sessions, healthcare providers shared detailed information about vaccines and addressed concerns. A follow-up survey showed that after using the guide, interest in getting vaccinated rose from 68% to 79%. Approximately 80% of patients reported discussing vaccines more during their visits. Among healthcare providers, 57% noticed increased vaccination rates after using these strategies. Half of them felt that the vaccine guide effectively helped discussions with patients. The importance of this research lies in the low vaccination rates among older adults for diseases like COVID-19 and influenza. Vaccination reduces the risk of complications for these individuals. The study suggests that providing personalized information can empower older adults to talk about vaccines with their doctors. Looking ahead, researchers plan to explore whether engaging patients earlier, before their visits, can further improve vaccination rates. They will test whether phone calls or telemedicine outreach can help older adults review their vaccination needs and address barriers to getting vaccinated.