Rationale
Immunization can either reduce or eradicate many infectious diseases, reduce the risk of complications from certain diseases, and improve overall health the world over. However, a rise in vaccine hesitancy has led to decreased immunization rates in higher-income countries.
Key Objectives
The candidate must be able to assess the immunization status of patients and recommend an appropriate schedule of vaccinations, discuss with patients and parents or guardians the risks and benefits of vaccination, and identify patients who would benefit from vaccination who do not come in for routine visits (e.g., when they present for assessment of a new illness).
Enabling Objectives
The candidate will identify patients who would benefit from vaccination, and for such patients the candidate will
- list and interpret clinical findings, including those based on
- an immunization history as well as any precaution or contraindication to vaccination (e.g., anaphylaxis, immunosuppression);
- construct an effective initial management plan, including
- advocating for vaccination based on currently accepted scientific data,
- explaining how vaccines work using basic knowledge of the immune system and obtaining informed consent,
- giving patients and parents or guardians the information they need to manage possible vaccine reactions,
- outlining an appropriate vaccination schedule, including modifications to the usual schedule for special circumstances (e.g., catch-up schedules, immunocompromised patients),
- counselling patients and parents or guardians who refuse vaccinations,
- reporting and managing adverse immunization reactions as required,
- reaching out to population segments specifically at risk (e.g., people who are older, people with chronic illness, people who have received transplants, people with asplenia), and
- recognizing the importance of the storage and handling of immunization agents (e.g., temperature regulation) to maintain efficacy.
