National vaccine expert, Dr. Rockwell, blogs on improving vaccine rates

In a recent blog post for the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), Pamela G. Rockwell, D.O., assistant professor, discusses the declining vaccine rates in the U.S. and ways that family medicine or other primary care practices can combat this decline.

“Vaccination rates for both children and adults in the United States fell below Healthy People 2010 objectives and will not meet Healthy People 2020 goals unless vaccine delivery barriers can be overcome,” Dr. Rockwell writes.

She maintains that a dedicated and passionate person or a “vaccine champion” can make a significant impact within a practice.

“The vaccine champion oversees quality improvement for vaccine rates and motivates the team toward improving vaccination rates. The champion is to be the “go-to” person in the practice to answer immunization questions. The champion should keep abreast of vaccine recommendations and keep the care team apprised of updates and changes to schedules in addition to overseeing quality improvement through giving feedback on vaccination rates to physicians and the team.”

Dr. Rockwell’s post also touches on additional practice improvement resources that are available.

Read the post in its entirety at: http://blog.stfm.org/2015/08/01/improving-immunization-rates-through-creation-of-a-practice-care-team-and-vaccine-champion/