arriers to Adult Immunization

ur aim was to provide a better understanding of why many adults fail to receive recom mmunizations. Consumers (N 2,002) and healthcare providers (N 200) completed structured elephone interviews concerning their attitudes and knowledge about adult vaccines and factors af heir vaccination decisions. Self-reported immunization rates for tetanus, influenza, and pneumoc accines (which were emphasized in the surveys) were lower than goal rates set by national gu mong the most common reasons consumers gave for not receiving immunizations were lack of p ecommendations and mistaken assumptions (e.g., healthy people do not need immunizations). Heal roviders tended to cite concerns such as side effects, fear of needles, and lack of insurance co easons consumers forego vaccination. Providers also cited practice issues, such as lack of an e eminder system, as barriers to increasing adult immunization rates. We conclude that a better und ng of why adults do not get vaccinated is important for efforts to increase immunization rates in ge group. 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. • The American Journal of Medicine (2008) 121, S28 –S