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A Conversation with Mercedes Phravixay, Office Manager & Vaccine Coordinator
Zaheen Medical Center - North Andover
What inspired your practice to offer walk-in vaccination clinics?
Our practice was inspired to offer walk-in vaccination clinics as a response to increasing community demand for accessibility. We recognized that many families faced challenges in scheduling traditional appointments due to various factors including work commitments, school schedules, and transportation issues. By providing walk-in clinics, we aimed to eliminate barriers and make vaccinations more convenient for everyone, ensuring that our community could stay protected and healthy.
What strategies have been most effective in increasing vaccine uptake among your patients?
Several strategies have proven successful in increasing vaccine uptake:
1. Flexible Scheduling: Offering extended hours for walk-in clinics,
accommodating parents’ diverse schedules.
2. Consistent Communication: Regularly sending reminders through text
messages and emails about upcoming vaccines or walk-in events helps keep vaccinations top of mind.
How does your practice approach vaccine education for parents who are hesitant to vaccinate?
We take a compassionate and informative approach to vaccine education.
Our staff engages parents in open conversations, actively listening to their concerns and providing evidence-based information. We utilize various resources, including pamphlets and visual aids, addressing common myths and misconceptions about vaccines. Additionally, we may offer one-on-one consultations with healthcare professionals who can provide reassurance and answer specific questions, helping parents feel more confident in their decisions.
Can you share an example of how your team handled a situation involving strong vaccine hesitancy or misinformation?
Recently, we encountered a situation where a parent was hesitant to vaccinate their child due to misinformation they had read online. Our healthcare provider took the time to sit down with the parent, listen to their concerns, and provide facts about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. We shared studies and resources from reputable health organizations and offered to answer any questions. This one-on-one care helped the parent feel more at ease, ultimately leading to them deciding to proceed with vaccination at that visit.
Any additional thoughts or comments?
Community trust is pivotal to our vaccination efforts. Building relationships with families and providing a supportive environment where they can voice their concerns has been instrumental in our success. It’s essential that we continue to listen and adapt our strategies to meet the evolving needs of our patients and their families.
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