Older Adult Immunizations: A Public Health Priority- 1CH

Course overview

Audience: This course is intended for all nurses who care for older adults. Course Overview: Age-related illnesses are a growing economic and societal burden in the United States (US) and contribute up to 50,000 deaths annually. Ninety-five percent of these fatalities occur in the adult population. Since the development of vaccines for illness prevention and the focus on pediatric population protection, morbidity and mortality rates have declined. This has improved overall public health and has decreased resource utilization and associated costs. However, while the goals to achieve pediatric immunizations have largely been met, the adult population over age 60 has fallen significantly short of reaching national objectives for all 15 recommended vaccines. In 2010, the impact of adult hospitalization and treatment alone for four preventable disease entities, including influenza, pneumonia, herpes zoster, and pertussis, have contributed to care costs in the US that have neared $15 billion. Through a multi-faceted approach that focuses on access to care and prevention through aggressive immunization practices, benefits to our senior population can be met. Learning objectives At the completion of this activity, the learner will be able to: -Discuss the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases. -Explain the adult immunization goals from the Healthy People 2020 initiative for at least two of the -recommended vaccinations. -Discuss the reasons for promoting older adult immunizations. -Identify barriers to, and recommendations for, older adult immunization.