AAFP Delivers New Influenza Vaccination Materials for Members

Both resources are free to members and can be accessed directly from the Academy’s Seasonal Influenza Prevention & Control webpage. 

“Family physicians and their care teams can download these guides and use the recommendations to take a team approach to improving vaccination rates and counter misinformation when patients come in for an appointment,” said Kathryn “Kat” Istas, M.P.H., program and evaluation strategist in the Academy’s Division of Research, Science and Health of the Public. “The guides can serve to support FPs in the care they provide and help alleviate any concerns patients may have about vaccinations.”

New Resources Overview

The influenza fact sheet is divided into two sections.

The first section, Recommendations for the 2022-2023 Flu Season, indicates the Academy’s endorsement of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ updated recommendations on vaccines for seasonal influenza and provides additional information on vaccine acceptance, composition and timing; coadministration of influenza vaccines with other vaccines; and recommendations on the use of certain vaccines in individuals ages 65 and older.

The second section, Misconceptions and Facts About the Influenza Vaccine, provides details that FPs can use to address patient concerns and dispel some common myths associated with influenza vaccination.

The clinical guidance sheet provides a quick rundown on essential vaccine-related information for FPs and care team members from the CDC’s Standards for Adult Immunization Practice. It outlines processes that health care professionals can use to recommend influenza vaccination to patients and to promote increased patient acceptance and adherence.

More Resources Coming Soon

In addition to the fact sheet and guidance sheet, the AAFP is developing a number of other member resources on vaccines and immunizations, including vaccine safety materials, counseling guides, CME opportunities and sample messages that FPs can send to remind patients about upcoming appointments.

Make sure to bookmark the Seasonal Influenza Prevention & Control webpage, as well as AAFP’s Immunizations & Vaccines webpage and familydoctor.org’s Immunizations webpage to access these additional resources as they become available.