health
Study: More practices need to promote adult vaccines
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Jan. 23, 2012
Making immunizations a routine part of office-based medical care would help improve adult vaccination rates and lower health care costs, according to a RAND Corp. study issued Jan. 11.
Researchers reviewed published studies on adult vaccination, interviewed health experts and surveyed 1,278 adults 18 and older on their thoughts about influenza vaccination. They found that although most adults are immunized at medical offices, only about one in four medical practices stocks all recommended vaccines for adults (link).
Part of the problem is that some adult immunizations have a short shelf life. Another challenge is that insurance does not always cover the physicians' costs of administering certain vaccines.
The researchers said better guidance should be developed to help health professionals effectively promote and administer vaccines. The study also calls for more research on office-based adult immunization.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/23/hlbf0123.htm.
