Guest: Robert M. Jacobson, M.D. (@RobertJMD) 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD) 

It is extremely important that our patients receive the influenza vaccine this year. In previous years, less than half of the population has received it. Dr. Robert Jacobson, a pediatrician and vaccine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, joins us to discuss the reasons it’s so important for our patients to receive the influenza vaccine this season.  He’ll share tips for discussing common concerns from vaccine-hesitant patients and how you can increase your patient vaccination rates. 

Specific topics discussed: 

• Importance of the influenza vaccine for our patients in 2020/2021 
• How and when the influenza vaccine is developed for the next influenza season 
• Why we need an influenza vaccine on an annual basis 
• The best time of the year to receive the influenza vaccine 
• Whether we lose some immunity to influenza if we receive the vaccine too early in the year 
• Which vaccine should be given to those 65 years and older 
• Common myths surrounding the influenza vaccine 
• Predictions for the severity of influenza for 2020/2021 

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.