Dr. Sheikh is Lead Principal Investigator (PI), and Dr. Kwan is Co-PI for immunization awareness project.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have identified lack of knowledge about vaccines among adult patients and adult providers as the most substantial barrier to vaccination coverage. Several studies have demonstrated that vaccination rates among high risk populations were strongly associated with information received by patients from healthcare providers, underscoring the crucial role physicians have in positively influencing the vaccination behavior of their patients.
Therefore, educational activities that promote healthcare provider and patient awareness about the importance of vaccines in patients with autoimmune, immunodeficient and allergic respiratory diseases, and educate providers to recognize clinical settings in which particular vaccines are indicated or contraindicated, may increase the rate of appropriate vaccination in these high risk populations.
This new initiative is a continuation of Dr. Sheikh’s and Dr. Kwan’s previous efforts to increase awareness of vaccines for this patient population.