Study Advocates for Enhanced Vaccine Screening in Emergency Departments

A recent national study led by researchers at the University of California, Riverside, has revealed significant gaps in vaccine awareness and uptake among patients visiting emergency departments (EDs). The findings, published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, highlight the urgent need for expanded vaccine screening initiatives in EDs, which serve as a crucial health care access point for many underserved Americans.

The study indicates that approximately 49% of individuals are unaware of the vaccines recommended for them, and 86% have not received one or more of these vaccines. Dr. Robert Rodriguez, the study's lead author, emphasizes that vaccination screening represents one of the most critical public health interventions available, comparable in impact to water sanitation.

Conducted from April to December 2024, the study involved a survey of 3,285 non-critically ill adult patients across 10 EDs in eight U.S. cities. The results showed that the lack of vaccination was notably prevalent among African Americans, uninsured individuals, and those without a primary care provider. Participants were queried about their awareness and receipt of 6-10 recommended vaccines, which included shingles, pneumococcal, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), tetanus, COVID-19, and influenza.

Interestingly, around 50% of unvaccinated respondents expressed a willingness to accept vaccines if offered during their ED visit. Traditional vaccination surveys, such as the National Health Interview Survey, often overlook many groups, particularly those without stable housing or those who are unlisted, underscoring the need for innovative outreach approaches.

Dr. Rodriguez notes that implementing widespread vaccine screening and delivery programs in EDs could potentially raise the percentage of fully immunized adult ED patients from a current 14% to as high as 48%. This increase could significantly improve vaccine equity, especially among marginalized populations that rely exclusively on EDs for healthcare.

To bridge this critical gap, the study advocates for collaboration between public health officials and ED staff to establish effective vaccine screening, outreach, and delivery programs aimed at underserved communities. Dr. Rodriguez highlights that, while primary care providers typically conduct vaccination screenings, 30% of the U.S. population lacks access to these services and must depend on EDs.

To enhance vaccination efforts within EDs, the researchers propose implementing comprehensive screening initiatives, which could substantially increase immunization rates and help rectify existing health inequities. Since many vaccines may not be available directly in EDs, the proposed programs should also include referrals to pharmacies, clinics, and other vaccination sites.

Future research will focus on automating the vaccination screening process to reduce labor intensity and exploring mobile outreach options for individuals unable to visit EDs. The study involved collaboration with colleagues from several prestigious institutions, including UCLA, UC San Francisco, Thomas Jefferson University, Wayne State University, Rush University Medical Center, and Duke University.