Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
1) By the end of the presentation participants will be able to answer immunization questions commonly asked by healthcare professionals.
2) By the end of the presentation participants will be able to access recommended sources directly to find answers to their questions.


Background:
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is a nonprofit organization that receives funding from CDC's National Immunization Program and Division of Viral Hepatitis. One of IAC's objectives is to be an information hub for immunization providers. One way IAC fulfills this objective is to field email, phone, fax, and mail inquiries. Each business day, IAC staff members answer 30–45 questions; the majority of these are from healthcare professionals.

Objectives:
1) Determine if questions from healthcare providers to IAC follow any patterns.
2) Provide answers to the most common questions and list related resources for providers.


Methods:
Examine the emails from healthcare providers sent to IAC over the course of a one-year period (September 2004–September 2005). Determine the most commonly asked questions. Provide detailed answers for these common areas of confusion or concern.

Results:
Despite the volume of email questions received by IAC, most can be grouped into a few basic categories. These categories include hepatitis B vaccination of healthcare workers, vaccine information statements (VISs), translations available (and needed) for VISs and print pieces, immunization recordkeeping, informed consent, and standing orders. This presentation will include discussion of 15 of the most common questions and answers, plus information on how to find reliable answers to future questions.

Conclusions:
Healthcare providers around the nation appear to have similar questions about immunization and vaccines. Resources are available to answer these questions.