Make every flu vaccination conversation count

Influenza continues to place a substantial burden on patients, health care professionals and the health care system. Although annual influenza vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone 6 months and older, vaccination rates are declining. Flu activity can also have multiple peaks, making vaccination conversations important throughout the season—not only during the fall.

Every patient encounter is an opportunity

Physicians and other health care professionals are among the most trusted sources of vaccine information. A clear recommendation from a physician can help patients understand their individual risk and make a more informed vaccination decision. How that recommendation is delivered matters, too.

This resource helps physicians move beyond open-ended questions that may unintentionally make vaccination seem optional or easy to postpone. Instead, it provides direct, action-oriented language that connects a patient’s age, health conditions or caregiving role to the importance of vaccination—and follows the recommendation with an immediate offer to vaccinate.

It offers practical conversation examples for several common clinical scenarios, including:

• Adults with underlying health conditions
• Adults age 65 and older
• Parents of infants and children
• Parents and caregivers who may also be eligible for vaccination

Because the examples are brief and easy to adapt, physicians and care teams can use them during routine visits without adding a lengthy counseling process. The resource can also serve as a quick-reference tool for aligning vaccine communication across the practice.

Make vaccine conversations more action-oriented

The research highlighted demonstrates the potential impact of a proactive approach. These findings underscore why every eligible patient encounter matters. By combining a confident recommendation with an immediate offer, physicians can help reduce missed vaccination opportunities and support higher vaccination rates.

Download “Talking with your patients about flu vaccination can make a difference” for concise, evidence-based information and practical language that can strengthen patient conversations throughout the flu season.