Overview and Purpose:

Vaccine hesitancy has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the ten threats to global health in 2019, potentially having broad implications reaching beyond the typical vulnerable populations. Ongoing surges of negative social media messages increase fear of negative health outcomes causing parents/patients to question the need for vaccines. This uncertainty results in decreased immunization rates which leads to unnecessary disease outbreaks. Ongoing education and consistent use of strong recommendations by providers is needed to combat vaccine hesitancy and reduce the growing risk of infectious disease epidemics.

Featured Presenters:

Sally May, RN BSN CH-GCN
Senior Quality Improvement Specialist, Great Plains Quality Innovation Network (GPQIN)

Tim Heath
Immunization Program Coordinator, South Dakota Department of Health (SDDOH)

Target Audience:

All healthcare professionals engaged in the administration or education of immunizations for infectious disease.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the WebEx, participants will be able to:

1. Relate to the personal health threat faced by vulnerable populations due to decreased immunization rates
2. Describe the impact of vaccine hesitancy on infectious disease outbreaks
3. Explain the process of unintended spread from the healthy to the vulnerable populations
4. Replicate and implement a strong vaccine recommendation

Questions:

Vicki Palmreuter
Program Manager
Vicki.Palmreuter@greatplainsqin.org