In response, Froedtert ThedaCare created a Vaccination Uptake Improvement Program. This grant-funded occupational health project is sponsored by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The growing outbreaks of communicable diseases are a result of declining vaccination rates fueled by vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, disrupted vaccination cycles due to COVID-19 pandemic precautions, increased social gatherings after the pandemic, increased global travel and increased surveillance and awareness. Over 80-90% of infections, including hospitalizations from communicable diseases such as measles and whooping cough, occurred in unvaccinated individuals.
To combat this and align with Wisconsin’s Healthy People 2030 goal to address vaccine hesitancy, Workforce Health developed a quality improvement project to increase vaccination in patients seen in Occupational Health. Research shows that a strong recommendation from a health care provider is the most effective way to increase patient vaccination.
Educating our clinicians on evidence-based motivational techniques for behavior change was an important aspect of our project. We also created educational materials on vaccines for our patients.
The impact of vaccine hesitancy and rising communicable infections goes beyond pain and suffering from illness and income loss. It also contributes to loss of productivity, workplace disruptions, absenteeism and stress.
We encourage all eligible individuals to get flu, COVID-19 and other age-appropriate vaccinations to foster healthier workplaces and communities.
