From Hesitancy to Action: Leveraging Patient Engagement to Boost RSV Vaccination Rates

In this episode, “From Hesitancy to Action: Leveraging Patient Engagement to Boost RSV Vaccination Rates,” the panel explores the following questions:

1. How can a pharmacist best follow up with patients who are hesitant to receive the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine to optimize vaccine uptake?
2. What is the role of health information technology, such as immunization information systems or electronic health records, in this process?

The panel examined practical strategies for following up with vaccine-hesitant patients, emphasizing the critical role of health information technology in this process. They highlighted the value of immunization information systems, or state registries, which enable pharmacists to verify a patient's vaccination history with confidence and make more personalized, stronger recommendations. The experts also stressed the importance of giving hesitant patients time to digest information, inviting them to return with questions, and personalizing the conversation by connecting vaccine benefits to an individual's specific risk factors. By combining data-driven insights with empathetic, open-ended follow-up, pharmacists can build trust and gradually move patients from uncertainty toward acceptance.

Throughout the conversation, the experts offer a comprehensive reflection on the field and the factors that may shape clinicians' approach to care moving forward.