CONCLUSION
Primary care providers should be able to competently answer questions and guide action in order to adequately treat patients and educate parents. Vaccines are overwhelmingly safe, and the most current and accurate information about vaccine safety should be provided to parents. Practitioners should also address parents' nonmedical concerns, such as scheduling and cost. If a parent is willing to adhere to an immunization schedule, further efforts can ensure on-schedule vaccination and high patient and parent satisfaction. Realistic and dedicated efforts by health care providers can improve their patients' adherence to vaccination schedules and help realize the enormous individual and societal benefits that immunization offers. JAAPA
Jamie Womack is a recent graduate of the PA program at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia. She currently works at Blue Ridge Bone and Joint in Asheville, North Carolina. The author has indicated no relationships to disclose relating to the content of this article.
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