August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the efforts of healthcare professionals to protect patients of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination.

During NIAM, we encourage you to ensure your patients are up-to-date on recommended vaccines. Research has consistently shown that healthcare professionals are the most trusted source of vaccine information for parents and patients.

Use NIAM as an opportunity to access CDC educational resources like the #HowIRecommend Video Series, which offers simple and practical guidance for having successful vaccine conversations with parents and patients. These short videos demonstrate how to make effective vaccine recommendations, address common immunization questions, and take a team-based approach to vaccination.

Authorized providers can save time for their office and patients by creating electronically certified DH680 forms. By electronically certifying within Florida SHOTS, you not only save a copy that is accessible to enrolled schools and daycares, but you can create a Parent PIN that allows a parent/guardian to print the form from home. Click HERE to access our step-by-step guide to make sure your office is ready for the school rush!  Access the Spanish guide HERE.

Florida SHOTS uses “Observations” for documenting contraindications and precautions to receiving certain vaccinations.  To access step-by-step directions for documenting history of varicella disease (chickenpox) in the patient record click HERE to download! Also available in Spanish HERE.

We understand duplicate records can take time, effort, and resources to correct. When entering data into the registry or your EHR, more detail is always better—including a patient’s possible twin status, the names and birthdates of the mother/father/guardian(s), as well as any available social security numbers. If you come across duplicate records, please call our help desk at 877- 888-SHOT (7468), and our staff will be happy to help you merge them.

Did you know that you can increase or decrease the number of vaccine doses on your regularly scheduled VFC vaccine order request? Make sure to review the “Projected Doses” on your “Doses Requested and Approved” page. This number is automatically calculated based on the number of doses you administered and how many you have left on hand, but there may be times when you need more than is projected—like back-to-school rush or other events. You can change the quantity in the “Doses Requested” field and the VFC office will review and determine if it’s approved.

Join us for this month’s live webinar sessions to help you prepare for the back-to-school rush! We will demonstrate searching for patients, reviewing immunization status, entering current vaccines, electronically certifying 680 forms and creating parent PIN numbers. Click below to register!

Wednesday, July 10, 12:30pm

Tuesday, July 16, 12:30pm* Spanish

Friday, July 26, 12:00pm

Click HERE to access our step-by-step guide to create electronically certified DH680 forms.  Access the Spanish guide HERE