As more people become vaccinated against COVID-19, countries around the world are re-opening for travel and tourism. But it’s not just COVID-19 that patients need protection from. Depending on the planned destination, patients may also need additional travel vaccines. By providing pre-travel consultation and care, providers have a significant role to play in preparing patients for safe, healthy travel in the coming months.

With the highly anticipated return to in-person learning and play, infant immunizations are critical to preventing future outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases for one of society’s most vulnerable age groups. As we inch towards a new normal and social activities resume, providers should emphasize the importance of infant immunizations to families who may have postponed their babies’ immunization appointments during the pandemic.

As of late May 2021, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has extended COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to include adolescents as young as 12 years old. The agency’s newest clinical guidance also approves the co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines along with other recommended vaccines. Providers have a tremendous opportunity over the next few months to help ensure that teen patients are up-to-date with their vaccinations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, before schools return to in-person learning this fall.

Stay-at-home orders and fear of contracting the coronavirus drove many patients to seek virtual care rather than visiting their physician in person. However, there are limitations to telehealth in circumstances for which in-person visits are more appropriate due to the requirement of physical presence to deliver a care service such as vaccinations. Providers should consider using telehealth to their advantage to bolster vaccine compliance.

Along with the COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC still recommends that patients stay up to date with routine immunizations protecting against other vaccine-preventable diseases. We outline how providers can proactively work with patients of all ages to prevent them from missing routine vaccines when planning for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Oftentimes, the key to uptake among patients is understanding. With pneumococcal disease, it’s important for providers to clearly communicate what diseases pneumococcal vaccines protect against, and which vaccines (between Prevnar 13® and Pneumovax 23) are recommended for which populations.

Although flu season generally runs from October through April, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preparation is a year-round activity. The typical preparation providers and medical practices perform is routine and doesn’t vary much from year to year — except in 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic added an unexpected complexity that upended typical flu season preparations but also provided some lessons learned for dealing with unusual public health circumstances. While we cannot predict what 2021 will bring, by examining the current flu season thus far, providers and practices can pick up a few principles to apply moving forward to better prepare for and adapt to future flu seasons.

Atlantic Health Partners, the nation’s premier buying group for physicians, health systems, physician organizations and medical practices, today announced the addition of Prevnar 13® to its vaccine program. Beginning January 1, 2021, Atlantic Health Partners’ members will have access to Pfizer’s pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine that protects against 13 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Each year, it's estimated that millions of Americans are affected by shingles, yet only 33% of adults 60 years and older have received the shingles vaccine. The current health risks associated with COVID-19 further emphasize the need for patients to utilize all preventative measures, such as vaccines, to maintain their overall wellbeing. Explore why patients may think they don’t need the shingles vaccine and how providers can combat these perceptions.

Scientists and manufacturers are working to develop a new vaccine that will protect against the COVID-19 virus. Though there is urgency surrounding the need for a coronavirus vaccine, there are many steps that go into the research, development, approval and manufacturing of a new vaccine. By understanding the vaccine development process, providers can ensure that their patients are well-educated about vaccine development and properly prepare their practices for any new vaccines that become available.