By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Increasing Older Adult Vaccination Rates with Portals
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Medical Records > Increasing Older Adult Vaccination Rates with Portals
eHealthMedical RecordsMobile Health

Increasing Older Adult Vaccination Rates with Portals

thielst
thielst
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

older adults vaccinatedNew study findings for those 60 and over show an increase in shingles vaccination rates when providers communicate with patients through EHRs and portals.

older adults vaccinatedNew study findings for those 60 and over show an increase in shingles vaccination rates when providers communicate with patients through EHRs and portals. The opportunity that exists is to overcome the low vaccination rate with increased awareness, access to clinics able to store the fragile vaccine, and compensating for the fact that face-to-face appointments don’t offer enough time to discuss shingles.

According to Science Daily, the team conducted a six-month study that “used electronic medical record (EMR) data to identify more than 2,500 patients over the age of 60 without a documented herpes zoster vaccination. Some were randomized to receive information about shingles via a secure email linked to their online personal health record (PHR) or a mailed postcard, while others received no information outside what they may have gotten in a routine doctor visit.

“Pharmacists then reviewed the EMRs of patients who had received emails or mailed information to identify eligible vaccine candidates, and then sent them a vaccination prescription via standard mail, along with a list of local pharmacies that offered the vaccine. Vaccine fulfillment was tracked by reports submitted to the team by local pharmacists.”

More Read

How to Use Facebook to Build Your Practice
Making a Visit to the Drug Store Less Confusing
Doctor/Patient Email: Are We Really Still Having This Debate?
PCI Compliance Status & Data Breaches
Healthcare CEOs Want Mobility Training

The study found, “Patients with an active PHR that received email information on shingles had the highest vaccination rate of 13.2 percent compared to a rate of 5 percent for patients with an active PHR that did not receive the email information. For patients that did not have an active PHR but did receive mailed information, the vaccination rate was 5.2 percent compared to a rate of 1.8 percent for patients without an active PHR and received no information.”

Patients who read the notification through their personal health record had the highest rate of vaccination at 13.2 percent.  Only five percent of patients with portal access but without a special notification were vaccinated. The mailed postcard resulted in 5.8 percent vaccination; only 1.8 percent of those who were not contacted about the virus were vaccinated, as reported.

The portal also helped facilitate increased efficiency for staff. It took pharmacists a matter of minutes to review the chart and mail out a prescription. This saved the physician time, the patient time, and improved the overall health of our patients. By utilizing pharmacists as members of a care team, many perceived logistical barriers were managed and overcome.

(shingles vaccination rates / shutterstock)

TAGGED:patient portalsvaccination
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Collaboration, Consolidation Should Define 2014 for Health Tracking Wearables, Apps

January 3, 2014
mobile dermatology app
DiagnosticseHealthMobile Health

Over 200 Mobile Apps For Dermatology – But Can “Dr. Mole” Ever Be Truly Accurate…Or Accountable?

October 3, 2013

Tri-Care Formularies To Be Listed on Epocrates

April 1, 2011

Drawing an Infographic Line on Healthcare’s Future

September 5, 2012
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?