Keep the Vaccination Conversation Going—and Cheerlead, Too

"I would say to my colleagues in primary care -- don't give up." That is, keep the vaccination conversation going this year, even though your patients, and probably you, too, have grown tired of the issues and your team is worn out.

The message comes from family physician Chuck Vega, MD, who acknowledged in a recent conversation with Patient Care^© that getting vaccines into the arms of vaccine-weary Americans this season will have its challenges, both familiar and new.

In this short video, Vega and infectious disease specialist Bill Schaffner, MD, remind front-line clinicians of what can be accomplished through vaccination against COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus in the coming months and that every positive word from a trusted health care professional counts.

William Schaffner, MD, is professor of infectious disease and preventive medicine in the Department of Health Policy, and professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, TN.

Charles Vega, MD is Health Sciences Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion at the UC Irvine School of Medicine where he also serves as executive director for the UC Irvine Program in Medical Education for the Latino Community.

For other conversations in our series with Drs William Schaffner and Chuck Vega:

The State of Vaccine Willingness in the US: A Primary Care and an Infectious Disease Physician Discuss

Respiratory Virus Season 2023-2024 is Shaping Up to be a Transitional One: Expert Interview

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine for Older Adults: The New Shot on the Block

3 Dangerous Respiratory Viruses, 3 Robust Vaccines, 3 Shots at Broad Protection This Year