By Jessica Burkybile, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Director of CE and Clinical, Healthcare Academy

Quick question: if a family member stopped you in the hallway today and asked which vaccines their mom should get this fall, would you feel confident answering?

If you hesitated, you’re not alone. Vaccine guidance has changed more than once over the past couple of years, and what was true last season isn’t always true now. I know how easy it is to go on autopilot with vaccines: flu shots in the fall, check the box, move on. But the details keep changing. Which products are preferred, who’s eligible, how many doses, and when to give them can all change from one season to the next. Some vaccines are given every year. Others are given only once.

Keeping up matters. The people in our care are the ones most likely to end up in the hospital from flu, COVID-19, RSV, or pneumonia. When people share living spaces and caregivers, one illness can spread through a whole community quickly. That includes us. Any of us can carry an illness through the door, sometimes before we even feel sick. Staying current on the guidance is one of the simplest ways we protect the people we serve.

That’s why our team created Knowledge NOW: Immunization Updates. In just a few minutes, it brings your whole team up to speed on:

• This season’s vaccine recommendations for the individuals in your care
• Vaccines recommended for all staff
• What nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term and post-acute care settings need to offer, explain, and document
• The role every team member plays, from housekeeping staff to the nurses and medication aides who give vaccines

It’s short enough to fit into a busy shift and a great way to start respiratory season. Guidance will keep changing, and staying current is part of how we keep people safe. How does your team keep up with changing guidance? Reach out and let me know. I’m always looking for ideas to share.