Highly communicable diseases like influenza, pneumococcus and hepatitis B affect people 65 years and older more seriously than others. Increased hospitalizations and deaths from preventable diseases are a direct result of the low vaccination rate among the 65 years and older population.

Improving adult immunization rates has become a national priority. America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) recently hosted the Adult Vaccine Roundtable to discuss national plans and strategies to address low adult vaccination rates. Senior leaders representing health insurance plans, the federal government, public health, clinicians, consumers, pharmacies and other immunization partners came together in an informal, interactive session focused on three goals:

1. Building a common understanding of different stakeholder perspectives on adult vaccines;
2. Increasing awareness of evidence-based strategies to increase adult immunization rates by addressing barriers; and
3. Leveraging accelerators, using the National Adult Immunization Plan as a strategic framework.

Read the full report here.

atom Alliance is working actively with providers to improve immunization rates in older adults. See how you can get involved here.

Rebel McKnight

Rebel Ward-McKnight is the Immunizations IDIQ Manager with over 15 years of experience in the medical industry. She has experience in outpatient ambulatory and inpatient hospital settings with extensive Medicare and Medicaid project management.