Most emergency department patients are found to be lacking in recommended vaccinations.

Most emergency department patients are found to be lacking in recommended vaccinations.

Emergency departments (EDs) could play a significant role in increasing vaccination rates among underserved populations by implementing systematic vaccine screening and offering vaccinations directly during ED visits. According to a recent study, this approach could boost vaccination rates from the current 14% to as high as 48% in these populations [1][3][4].

Key findings from the study, titled "Emergency Department Survey of Vaccination Knowledge, Vaccination Coverage, and Willingness to Receive Vaccines in an Emergency Department Among Underserved Populations," reveal that about 86% of adult ED patients are missing one or more recommended vaccines, and nearly half (49%) are unaware of vaccines recommended for them [1][3][4].

The study, published in MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2025 and co-authored by Dr. Jesus R. Torres from the UCLA Department of Emergency Medicine, surveyed 3,285 non-critically ill adult patients visiting 10 emergency departments between April and December 2024 across eight U.S. cities [5].

The study also found that around 50% of unvaccinated ED patients would accept vaccines if offered during their visit, and most would accept all missing vaccines [3]. This suggests that the ED visit is a critical opportunity for vaccination outreach.

Target populations for this initiative include African Americans, uninsured individuals, and those without a primary care provider, groups that frequently use EDs as their only healthcare access [1][4]. Implementing ED-based vaccination programs widely could more than triple vaccination rates to 48%, markedly improving health equity [1].

Researchers are also investigating ways to automate vaccine screening in EDs to make the process less labor-intensive, which is crucial for feasibility [1]. Collaborations between public health officials and ED staff are essential to develop effective, integrated vaccine screening, outreach, and delivery models [1].

EDs uniquely serve as a safety net for underserved groups such as immigrants, the homeless, and uninsured people, making them vital points for preventive healthcare interventions including vaccination [3][4]. This initiative could also help maintain immunity in vulnerable populations, as COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness wanes over time [2][5].

The study was led by Dr. Robert Rodriguez at UC Riverside, with colleagues from UCLA, UC San Francisco, Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania, Wayne State University in Michigan, Rush University Medical Center in Illinois, and Duke University in North Carolina [5]. According to the study, ED-based vaccination programs could serve as a powerful tool for advancing health equity, particularly for communities that have been historically underserved by traditional healthcare delivery models.

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