Increasing the Percentage of Patients That Receive the Influenza Vaccine in Allergy Shot Clinics

Introduction: Vaccinations are a critical component of routine healthcare, and studies reveal that patients are more likely to receive vaccinations when they are recommended by a medical provider. In the US, annual influenza vaccine rates were 48.4% during the 2019-20 influenza season and 50.2% during the 2020-21 influenza season. The US Healthy People 2030 target goal is 70%. Method(s): As part of a quality improvement program during the COVID-19 pandemic, subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) patients were screened at every injection visit for administration of the 2021-22 influenza vaccine. A sticker was placed in the injection room to remind staff to assess status. Vaccine currency was documented on the patients' injection record. The vaccination rate for the 2020-21 flu season was compared to the vaccination rate for the 2021-22 flu season. Result(s): 175 patients (172 SCIT and 3 biologic) were given injections and screened for the influenza vaccine during the period of September 1, 2021 to May 24, 2022. Of the 175 patients, 87.4% of patients received the influenza vaccination (153 vaccinated and 22 declined). The 2020-21 vaccination rate in the clinic was 91.7%. Conclusion(s): Allergy clinics have a captive audience in their injection rooms with SCIT patients to screen for the influenza vaccine. Our simple screening program resulted in an unprecedented influenza vaccination rate of 87.4% during the 2021-22 influenza season and 91.7% during the 2020-21 influenza season. Each year, our program produced an influenza vaccination rate nearly double the national average. Allergists should consider implementing a similar injection room system for influenza vaccine screening. Copyright © 2022

MAXIMIZING INFLUENZA VACCINE RATES IN ALLERGY SHOT PATIENTS

Introduction: Immunizations are a fundamental part of healthcare. Immunization status should be screened at each clinic visit. Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) and biologic patients visit allergy clinics regularly for injections and provide frequent opportunities to assess immunization status, specifically the annual influenza vaccine. Studies reveal patients are more likely to receive vaccinations when recommended by a medical provider. Annual influenza vaccine rates were 48.4% during the 2019-20 influenza season in the US. Methods: As a part of a quality improvement program during the COVID pandemic, SCIT and biologic patients were screened at every injection visit for administration of the 2020-21 influenza vaccine. A sticker was placed in the injection room to remind staff to assess status. Vaccine currency was documented on the patient's injection record. Results: 145 injection room patients (135 SCIT and 10 biologic) were given injections and screened for the influenza vaccine during the period of October 1, 2020 to January 12, 2021. Of the 145 patients, 91.7% of patients received the influenza vaccination (133 vaccinated, 8 declined, and 4 unconfirmed). Conclusion: Allergy clinics have a captive audience in their injection rooms with SCIT and biologic patients to screen for the influenza vaccine. By implementing this during the COVID pandemic, our simple screening program resulted in an unprecedented influenza vaccination rate of 91.7% among our SCIT and biologic patients, almost double the national average. Every allergy clinic in the US should consider implementing a similar injection room system for influenza vaccine screening. In addition, a similar process could be implemented for the COVID vaccine.