Strengthening Adult and Adolescent Immunization Coverage

While the United States has made significant progress toward eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases among children, similar successes have not yet occurred for adults and adolescents. Unacceptably low immunization rates exist among many adults and adolescents in the US. To combat this failure, IDSA developed a set of policy principles and recommendations to strengthen adult and adolescent immunizations, and we are working with federal and state partners to move these ideas forward.

Vaccine Advocacy Toolkit Overview (PDF)

An overview of the IDSA Vaccine Advocacy Toolkit.

Vaccine Advocacy Strategies (PDF)

Read about opportunities to connect with lawmakers and advocacy strategies to convey your messages about the importance of vaccines and vaccination.

Anti Vaccine Legislation Primer (PDF)

A primer on the kind of anti-vaccine legislation that are on the verge of being introduced in states across the U.S.

Vaccine Advocacy Talking Points (PDF)

Talking points to use when writing, calling, or meeting with state and local policymakers and/or their staff.

Outbreaks of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (PDF)

A timeline describing recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases to demonstrate the dangers of low vaccination rates.

Vaccine Stories-Tan (PDF)

Real stories from IDSA members about individuals harmed by vaccine-preventable illnesses.

Contact your Congressional representative through our Advocacy Center to support legislation in Congress that would strengthen adult and adolescent immunization programs.

Take Action!

IDSA Comments on ACIP Recommendation of Adult Hepatitis B Universal Vaccination

11/2/2021

IDSA comments in support of the November 3, 2021 CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vote regarding universal Hepatitis B vaccination for adults 19 and older.

IDSA Comments on PCV13 Recommendation (PDF)

6/26/2019

IDSA official position regarding whether PCV13 should be administered routinely to all immunocompetent adults aged over 65 years in the context of indirect effects from pediatric PCV use, delivered before the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Adult Immunization: Shots to Save Lives (PDF)

2/4/2010

IDSA partnered with the Trust for America's Health (TFAH), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) on this report, which found that more than 30 percent of adults ages 65 and older had not been immunized against pneumonia in 36 states as of 2008.

ACP-IDSA Joint Statement of Medical Societies Regarding Adult Vaccination by Physicians (PDF)

11/3/2008

The American College of Physicians and IDSA position stating that primary care and many subspecialty physicians should take an active role in the discussion and review of their adult patients’ vaccination status and in the administration of recommended vaccines.

IDSA Comments on Healthy People 2030 (PDF)

1/17/2019

IDSA comments to the Department of Health and Human Services' Secretary's Advisory Committee on National Health and Disease Prevention proposed objectives for Healthy People in the areas of global health, healthcare-associated infections, immunization and infectious disease, opioids, and sexually transmitted diseases.

IDSA Comments RE HHS FY2018 - 2022 Strategic Plan (PDF)

10/27/2017

IDSA comments on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) FY2018 - 2022 Strategic Plan.

IDSA Letter of Introduction to Surgeon General VADM Adams (PDF)

10/27/2017

IDSA congratulates VADM Jerome Adams on his appointment as the nation's Surgeon General, the country's chief doctor and leader of the Public Health Commissioned Corps. IDSA requests a meeting with Dr. Adams to discuss key issues and opportunities to collaborate.

IDSA and PIDS Send Letter to U.S. Government Leaders Urging Broad Action on Pertussis (PDF)

7/12/2013

In the wake of an alarming resurgence of pertussis, leaders from IDSA and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) provided U.S. health agencies with recommendations to address the problem in the short- and long term. The recommendations were drawn from the expertise of members from both societies, as well as a successful multi-stakeholder working group meeting on pertussis earlier this year. The meeting was co-sponsored by IDSA and PIDS, along with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO).

Using Immunization Information Systems to Increase Adult Immunization Rates (PDF)

5/14/2014

Presentation on a pilot project using Immunization Information Systems (IIS) to increase adult immunization rates.

Summary of 2013 NVAC Standards for Adult Immunization Practices (PDF)

2/27/2014

Summary of 2013 National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC)'s standards of adult immunization practices.