|
There are many reasons why someone might be hesitant to get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines are new vaccines, so it is normal for people to have questions. Give the patient time to ask questions and share their concerns. Have resources available to share with them.
You can find resources from MDH to share with patients on the COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit. The COVID-19 Vaccine Basics (PDF) and Getting Vaccinated For COVID-19 (PDF) pieces supplement the required EUA fact sheet. These fact sheets are in plain language and translated into 12 languages.
You can find detailed information addressing common questions and concerns at About COVID-19 Vaccine and at CDC’s Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines.
Share our messages! Follow MDH social media to get the latest information on COVID-19 vaccine. You can also use the social media messages on the COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Toolkit webpage to share out key messages on COVID-19 vaccine.
Clinics must continue to catch up to prevent a future outbreaks of a vaccine-preventable disease. Here are some critical steps all clinics can take:
1. Measure your rates and identify children who are behind and call them to the clinic for vaccination.
- MIIC’s assessment reports and client follow up functions are available to all user roles of immunization providers. Users can track childhood immunization rates for the provider’s population, generate a list of due and overdue patients to send reminders, and manage which patients are associated with their clinics. We encourage you to run a report to help get kids back on track with their immunizations.
2. Identify barriers to getting kids on track.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape for how families access health care. Some people may have lost health care benefits due to business closures. If you are a Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) provider, promote the MnVFC program to families, especially those who may be newly eligible.
- Parents may be juggling return to work and school. Consider holding immunization-only clinics to streamline vaccination and save time for parents.
For more information, visit Vaccination During COVID-19.
For COVID-19 vaccines that need two doses, it is important for people to receive both doses, and that both doses are the same vaccine product. Providers need to make every effort to keep the second doses within the recommended interval.
We expect providers to schedule second doses for patients receiving the first dose.
Whenever possible, give patients their second dose, even if they did not receive their first dose from you. This is especially important if it is not feasible for the patient to get their second dose from the original vaccination site (e.g., they recently returned from out-of-state residence).
We have posted guidance for providers at COVID-19 Vaccine Second Dose Guidance.
Communicating the importance of being completely vaccinated
There are several reasons someone might not be getting their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. They may be hesitant about getting another shot, concerned of side effects, thinking they don’t need two doses, or they might forget.
We have information on why the second dose is important at About COVID-19 Vaccine in the “Getting Vaccinated” section.
Share this information with people who are hesitant or want more information on second doses:
- It is very important that someone gets both vaccine doses, the same product for each dose, and that the doses are given at the correct interval.
- The vaccine works best after two doses.
If someone only gets one dose, they may not be as well protected against COVID-19.
- The second dose boosts your immunity to COVID-19 and will help even if it is a longer time between shots.
- It is best if you can get your second dose within six weeks from your first dose, but even if it is longer than that, you do not need to start over.
Encouraging series completion
Encourage people to set up their appointment for the second dose before they leave. Have a system to track people who are ready for second doses who have not returned; continue to reach out to them! If someone declines the second dose, you may document that in their medical record, but continue to encourage them to complete the series.
|
