Improving Vaccine Confidence: An Educational Series
Are the vaccines safe? Can they alter my DNA? Do they cause infertility?
Vaccines have contributed to significant public health advancements, but remain a topic of serious debate among some patients and health care professionals. These debates are being fueled during the current pandemic with the spread of misinformation and skepticism.
This new learning series breaks down vaccine science, outlines critical vaccine processes, and equips you with information to assure concerned patients and colleagues.
Choose from multiple CME activities. Additional activities will be added soon.
Approved for AAFP Prescribed credit and AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
Supported by an educational grant from Janssen Therapeutics, Division of Janssen Products, LP.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the immunological basis of action for different vaccines, how different platforms are used to deliver vaccines, and the processes used for mass production of vaccines.
- Describe the flow of clinical trials needed for vaccine authorization/approval, and the differences between the typical approval process and an EUA.
- Evaluate the reasons for vaccine hesitancy among patients and healthcare professionals and define best practice strategies to overcome hesitancy issues.
- Develop practice management strategies for handling COVID-19 vaccines and ensuring their prioritized delivery to at-risk populations, and underserved populations.
- Define a strategy to maximize reimbursement for vaccination services in your practice.
Foundational Concepts Sessions
COVID-19 Vaccines: How They're Made and What They Do
1 AAFP Prescribed credit*
Gretchen LaSalle, MD, FAAFP
Laura Morris, MD, MSPH, FAAFP, Chair/Moderator
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the process of development of vaccines from trials through to full FDA approval.
- Describe the mechanisms by which the different COVID-19 vaccine platforms stimulate the immune system.
- Describe the latest data on the safety and efficacy of the different COVID-19 vaccines, including the incidence of post-vaccine complications or adverse events.
- Discuss the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on vaccine efficacy.
Overcoming Vaccine Hesitancy and Promoting Vaccine Confidence in Your Patients and Staff
1 AAFP Prescribed credit*
Jerry Abraham, MD, MPH, CMQ
Laura Morris MD, MSPH, FAAFP, Chair/Moderator
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the common myths and misconceptions that hinder acceptance of vaccines including the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Discuss the factors that perpetuate vaccine hesitancy in specific patient populations.
- Describe opportunities to improve vaccine confidence through patient and staff education and the use of tools and resources.
Improving Access to Vaccines
1 AAFP Prescribed credit*
Margot Savoy MD, MPH, FAAFP
Laura Morris MD, MSPH, FAAFP, Chair/Moderator
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss how social determinants of health (SDoH) impact vaccine delivery and describe the resulting disparities in care based on vaccine access.
- Describe improvements in your practice that lead to better access to vaccines for patients.
- Review the billing and coding for COVID vaccine delivery to maximize reimbursement.
*Enhance your patient care today and earn up to 2 additional AAFP Prescribed credits when you complete the Translation to Practice® (t2p®) process.
Implementation Into Practice Sessions
Building on the Science
1 AAFP Prescribed credit
Gretchen LaSalle, MD, FAAFP
Laura Morris, MD, MSPH, FAAFP, Chair/Moderator
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the evolving nature of the COVID pandemic from first cases in the US to the present day.
- Review the efficacy/safety data for COVID vaccines currently available in the US, including to the new variants and contrast this with the reported incidence of side effects.
- Review the current scheduling guidance for COVID vaccines in various patient populations.
- Describe COVID vaccine scheduling changes that are likely to occur in 2021-2022.
Why are Vaccine Rates Lagging
1 AAFP Prescribed credit
Margot Savoy MD, MPH, FAAFP
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the current data for COVID vaccine uptake, highlighting patient populations across the US where uptake remains low.
- Compare and contrast the data for vaccine hesitancy of COVID vaccines with other vaccines administered in primary care.
- Describe the causes of vaccine hesitancy or poor vaccine uptake in different patient populations.
Patient Story
.5 AAFP Prescribed credits
Margot Savoy MD, MPH, FAAFP
Rochelle Savoy
Learning Objectives:
- Review the story of a COVID vaccine hesitant patient and relate this person’s experiences to the views of vaccine hesitant patients in your practice.
- Consider techniques for use during the office visit to promote vaccine confidence.
Best Practices, Reaching Patient Populations
1 AAFP Prescribed credit
Jerry Abraham, MD, MPH, CMQ
Gretchen LaSalle, MD, FAAFP
Rose Leslie, MD
Learning Objectives:
- Review the stories of family physicians who have implemented novel solutions in their practice to reach various patient populations to improve vaccine confidence or access to the vaccines.
- Consider changes you can make to your practice to help expand vaccine accessibility and/or to promote vaccine confidence at the patient population level.
Faculty Panel and t2p
1.25 AAFP Prescribed credits*
Jerry Abraham, MD, MPH, CMQ
Gretchen LaSalle, MD, FAAFP
Rose Leslie, MD
Margot Savoy MD, MPH, FAAFP
Laura Morris, MD, MSPH, FAAFP, Chair/Moderator
Learning Objectives:
- Consider the perspectives of the faculty as they discuss barriers and solutions for improving vaccine confidence in both patients and staff.
- Describe a change in your practice based on the information learned during this educational activity.
*Enhance your patient care today and earn up to 2 additional AAFP Prescribed credits when you complete the Translation to Practice® (t2p®) process.
Practice Pearl Interviews
Lessons From Participants: Practice Improvement
.75 AAFP Prescribed credit
Laura Morris MD, MSPH, FAAFP, Chair/Moderator
Amanda Deel, DO, FAAFP
Coleen DeWitt, DO
Lawrence Madewell, MD
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the practice transformation protocol described and consider how you can embed lessons learned into your own practice environment.
- Describe how you will change your practice based on the experiences of the presenters
Review and Reinforce Concepts Sessions
Improving Vaccine Confidence in Your Patients and Staff
.50 AAFP Prescribed credit*
Laura Morris MD, MSPH, FAAFP, Chair
Learning Objectives:
- Review best practices for building vaccine confidence in your patients and staff
- Consider the factors involved in vaccine hesitancy in different patient populations.
- Review how you can reach patients who may be hesitant to receive vaccines through education, community engagement, and the use of social media.
- Consider your next steps for changing your practice as a result of this education.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutic Updates
.50 AAFP Prescribed credit
Gretchen LaSalle, MD, FAAFP
Learning Objectives:
- Describe recent updates to the vaccines available for COVID-19, including scheduling, mix and match, and indications for their use.
- Evaluate the therapeutics available for treatment of patients with COVID-19 and consider their indications, comparative efficacy, and cost.
- Consider how you can leverage vaccine safety and efficacy data to improve vaccine confidence in your patients and staff.
Vaccines and Special Populations
.50 AAFP Prescribed credit
Laura Morris MD, MSPH, FAAFP, Chair
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the specific indications for using COVID-19 vaccines in special populations (for example, patients who are immunosuppressed, patients who are pregnant).
- Consider the nuances associated with overcoming vaccine hesitancy in these populations.
Making the Most of Social Media
.50 AAFP Prescribed credit
Rose Leslie, MD
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how social media can be used to promote vaccine awareness and knowledge in your patients.
- Determine how you can leverage social media commination to improve vaccine confidence.
Changing Your Practice to Improve Access to Vaccines
.50 AAFP Prescribed credits
Margot Savoy MD, MPH, FAAFP, FABC, FAAPL, CPE, CMQ
Learning Objectives:
- Compare and contrast the nuances of delivering COVID-19 vaccines with those of other routine vaccinations administered in primary care.
- Develop an action plan that maximizes the accessibility of your patients to both COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines administered in the office.
Promoting Vaccine Confidence in Different Communities
.50 AAFP Prescribed credits
Margot Savoy MD, MPH, FAAFP, FABC, FAAPL, CPE, CMQ
Learning Objectives:
- Compare and contrast the needs of patients in different communities as you seek to improve vaccine confidence.
- Embed your understanding of differing patient needs as you engage with patients on their vaccine choices.
*Enhance your patient care today and earn up to 2 additional AAFP Prescribed credits when you complete the Translation to Practice® (t2p®) process.
Connect with other learners about their t2p, interact with faculty and chair on topics related to vaccine confidence and access resources developed by the AAFP. All are available for free.
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