CS HCVG15-ADU-134 07/28/2016

4 Vaccine Referral

A Series on Standards for Adult Immunization Practice

Even if your practice doesn’t stock all or any vaccines, you 

still have a critical role to play in ensuring your patients are 

protected from serious diseases.

Routinely assess your patients’ immunization needs, 

vaccinate with vaccines you do stock, and provide referrals 

for recommended vaccines you do not stock.

Here’s why it’s important:

•Each year, thousands of adults in the United States 

suffer illness, are hospitalized, or even die from 

diseases that could be prevented by vaccines.

Adults believe immunization is important, but most don’t know which 

vaccines they need throughout their lives. 

•Patients rely on you to give them the best advice on 

how to protect their health. 

If you don’t tell them about the vaccines they need, your patients are unlikely 

to get vaccinated. 

Here’s what you can do:

• Refer your patients to other immunization providers 

for vaccines you don’t stock. 

It may not be possible to stock all vaccines in your practice. But you can still 

ensure that your patients are getting the vaccines they need by following up 

your strong recommendation with a referral. There is an expanding network 

of immunization providers, and it is easier than ever to find providers in your 

area who offer vaccination services. See back for details.

• Confirm that patients received recommended 

vaccines by following up at the next visit.

Document the vaccines your patients receive, whether you administer

them or not, to make sure patients are fully immunized. Simple 

reminders can help your practice and your patients stay up to date.

U.S. vaccination 

rates for adults are 

extremely low.

For example:

• Only 20% of adults 19 years 

or older have received 

Tdap vaccination.

• Only 28% of adults 60 years 

or older have received zoster 

(shingles) vaccination.

• Only 20% of adults 19 to 64 

years old, at high risk, have 

received pneumococcal 

vaccination.

• Only 44% of adults 18 years 

or older had received flu 

vaccination during the 

2014–2015 flu season.

Sources: NHIS 2014 (MMWR 2016; 64(4)),

BRFSS 2014-2015 (www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview)

For resources and tips on vaccine 

assessment, recommendation, 

administration, and documentation, 

visit:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adultstandards

Information Series for Healthcare Professionals

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adultstandards

DON’T WAIT.

VACCINATE! U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention 
Vaccine Referral Options 

• HealthMap Vaccine Finder (http://vaccine.healthmap.org) is a free, online service where users 

can search by zip code for providers who offer vaccines. 

• Health Departments often provide routine vaccinations or can help you identify other local 

vaccine providers. Visit www.vaccines.gov/getting/where/ and click on your state to learn more.

• Pharmacies are a convenient location for many patients to get vaccinated. Most pharmacies 

have on-site clinics that provide vaccines.

• Travel Clinics are current with vaccine recommendations for international travel and often carry 

vaccines that are less frequently recommended and might be cost-prohibitive to stock. Find 

travel clinics in your area: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic

Remind patients to check with their insurance plans regarding which providers their insurance 

includes for vaccine services. 

When referring, consider giving your patients a vaccine prescription. If your patients can 

leave your office with a prescription for the vaccines you recommend it may help them to take 

the next step. 

Vaccine prescription pads, customizable with your provider information, are available at: 

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/adults/downloads/vaccine-rx-pad.pdf

For more information and resources on adult immunization, 

visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/adults 

Last updated May, 2016