Recommendations
Revised Standards
for Immunization Practices
Child & Adolescent and Adult Immunization  

At a glance: The National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) recently released revised standards for immunization practices. The revised standards recommend making vaccines easily accessible and implementing strategies to improve vaccination rates.

On this page:

Revised Child & Adolescent Immunization Standards Revised Adult Immunization Standards

• making vaccines easily accessible
• effectively communicating vaccination information
• implementing strategies to improve vaccination rates
• developing community partnerships to reach target patient populations

Revised Child & Adolescent Immunization Standards
		List of Revised Standards for Child & Adolescent Immunization Practices
		Read the article published in Pediatrics about revised standards for child & adolescent immunization.
		Screen-reader device text-only version (.txt)
		NEW! Order a brochure with revised Standards for Child & Adolescent Immunization Practices. On the order page, follow ordering instructions and look for the section titled "Health Care Providers Only".

Availability of Vaccines

1. Vaccination services are readily available.
2. Vaccinations are coordinated with other healthcare services and provided in a medical home when possible.
3. Barriers to vaccination are identified and minimized.
4. Patient costs are minimized.

Assessment of Vaccination Status

5. Healthcare professionals review the vaccination and health status of patients at every encounter to determine which vaccines are indicated.
6. Healthcare professionals assess for and follow only medically indicated contraindications.

Effective Communication about Vaccine Benefits and Risks

7. Parents/guardians and patients are educated about the benefits and risks of vaccination in a culturally appropriate manner and in easy-to-understand language.

Proper Storage and Administration of Vaccines and Documentation of Vaccinations

8. Healthcare professionals follow appropriate procedures for vaccine storage and handling.
9. Up-to-date, written vaccination protocols are accessible at all locations where vaccines are administered.
10. Persons who administer vaccines and staff who manage or support vaccine administration are knowledgeable and receive ongoing education.
11. Healthcare professionals simultaneously administer as many indicated vaccine doses as possible.
12. Vaccination records for patients are accurate, complete, and easily accessible.
13. Healthcare professionals report adverse events following vaccination promptly and accurately to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) and are aware of a separate program, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP).
14. All personnel who have contact with patients are appropriately vaccinated.

Implementation of Strategies to Improve Vaccination Coverage

15. Systems are used to remind parents/guardians, patients, and healthcare professionals when vaccinations are due and to recall those who are overdue.
16. Office- or clinic-based patient record reviews and vaccination coverage assessments are performed annually.
17. Healthcare professionals practice community-based approaches.

For more information about ways to implement the standards and improve child and adolescent immunization coverage in your practice, review the detailed standards online (.htm) or download a copy (.pdf). (exit site for both links)

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Revised Adult Immunization Standards
		List of Revised Standards for Adult Immunization Practices
		Read the article (.pdf) published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (AJPM) (exit site) about revised standards for adult immunization.
		Screen-reader device text-only version (.txt)
		NEW! Order a brochure with revised Standards for Adult Immunization Practices. On the order page, follow ordering instructions and look for the section titled "Health Care Providers Only".
List of Revised Standards for Adult Immunization Practices Make vaccinations available. Adult vaccination services are readily available. Barriers to receiving vaccines are identified and minimized. Patient "out-of-pocket" vaccination costs are minimized. Assess patients' vaccination standards. Healthcare professionals routinely review the vaccination status of patients. Healthcare professionals assess for valid contraindications. Communicate effectively with patients. Patients are educated about risks and benefits of vaccination in easy-to-understand language. Administer and document vaccinations properly. Written vaccination protocols are available at all locations where vaccines are administered. Persons who administer vaccines are properly trained. Healthcare professionals recommend simultaneous administration of indicated vaccine doses. Vaccination records for patients are accurate and easily accessible. All personnel who have contact with patients are appropriately vaccinated. Implement strategies to improve vaccination rates. Systems are developed and used to remind patients and healthcare professionals when vaccinations are due and to recall patients who are overdue. Standing orders for vaccinations are employed. Regular assessments of vaccination coverage levels are conducted in a provider's practice. Partner with the community. Patient-oriented and community-based approaches are used to reach the target population. For detailed information about ways to implement the standards and improve adult immunization coverage in your practice, review the standards in detail (.pdf). Top

This page last modified on November 4, 2003
This page last reviewed on April 18, 2006