Adult vaccination: a step-by-step guide

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC), has just released an excellent resource for adult immunization "Adults Only Vaccination: A Step-by-Step Guide." This indispensable resource compares favorably with other such indispensable immunization resources as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Pink Book" and the American Academy of Pediatrics' "Red Book." Designed to help integrate immunization services into settings new to adult vaccination, the guide is equally valuable for use in settings experienced in vaccine delivery to adult and pediatric patients alike.

Developed by IAC staff, the 157-page spiral-bound guide has been thoroughly reviewed for technical accuracy by immunization experts from CDC and is wholeheartedly supported by the American Medical Association (AMA). In addition, the Guide has also received support from the Department of Health and Human Services (Women's Health), the National Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, the American College Health Association, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Contents of the guide and accompanying tools

The guide
Divided into seven chapters, the guide presents practical information on getting started, setting up vaccination services, handling and storing vaccines, deciding whom to vaccinate, administering vaccines, documenting vaccination delivery, and financing vaccine services. In addition, the guide's two appendices include approximately 50 educational tools for providers and patients; these will never go out of date because each is actively linked to the most current version on IAC's website.

Accompanying tools
Packaged as a kit, the guide comes with two videos, a pack of 25 adult immunization record cards, and other useful clinic materials. The videos, "How to Protect Your Vaccine Supply" (25 minutes long, produced by CDC in 2004) and "Immunization Techniques: Safe, Effective, Caring" (35 minutes long, produced by California Department of Health Services in 2001), present comprehensive, easy-to-follow information and make valuable viewing for beginners and seasoned professionals alike. The adult immunization record cards give patients helpful information about vaccines commonly given to adults and remind them of their next vaccination due dates.

Additional information, price and ordering methods
For additional information about the kit (including access to a PDF version of the guide), pricing (including discounts for orders of more than nine kits), and ordering methods, please visit the Web site.