Immunization Hesitancy Communication Techniques

Immunization Hesitancy Communication Techniques is organized by University of North Texas (UNT) Health Science Center.

Expires Date: Mar 21, 2022

Target Audience:
This activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, physical therapists, and public health professionals.

Description:
In the 2017-2018 school year, 2.2 percent of U.S. kindergartners were exempted from one or more vaccines, up from 2 percent in the 2016-2017 school year and from 1.9 percent in the 2015-2016 school year, according to the CDC report. This trend has been increasing over the last decade.  Immunization hesitancy is one of the primary reasons, and improved communication skills are needed so healthcare professionals can adequately address and overcome this barrier.  

Learning Goal and Outcome:
Learning Goal: Participants will increase the percentage of eligible patients who are compliant with ACIP-recommended immunizations.

Learning Outcome: Participants will apply motivational interviewing techniques to overcome immunization hesitancy in their patients.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity learners should be able to:
• Discuss vaccine success rates, benefits, and safety issues.
• Describe strategies for overcoming patient immunization hesitancy.
• Apply motivational interviewing to facilitate patient immunization buy-in.
• Implement at least one strategy to overcome structural barriers to improve immunization rates.