Healthy for the holidays: Help address vaccine concerns

Preparing for flu season involves more than offering vaccinations. It also means helping patients work through questions that may keep them from getting vaccinated. When flu activity begins early, clear recommendations and conversations can help address patient concerns while keeping prevention and timely care in focus.

Helpful tips for vaccine conversations

Use the following patient conversation tips to help connect flu prevention with each patient’s questions and concerns:

Start with a recommendation for annual flu vaccination and invite patients to share their questions or concerns
Acknowledge concerns and provide concise, evidence-based information that responds to what matters most to the patient
Use trusted patient education materials to reinforce the conversation and support informed decision-making

You can pair these conversations with flu-season readiness. Early circulation of flu viruses can increase outpatient visits, emergency department utilization, and hospitalizations. Older adults, young children, pregnant individuals and people with chronic health conditions may be especially vulnerable to severe illness.

Vaccine recommendations

Alongside addressing vaccine concerns, you can take the following steps to support timely prevention and care:

Recommend and administer annual flu vaccinations as early as possible for eligible patients
Consider influenza in patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and follow current clinical guidance for testing and antiviral treatment when appropriate
Prioritize outreach to high-risk populations who may benefit most from vaccination and early intervention