Abstract
This article addresses the complex contexts within which Canadian health professionals engage in immunizing children and focuses on the Canadian practice guidelines and current scientific evidence that direct Canadian health professional competencies. The article begins by presenting two current global vaccine initiatives and links these to immunization in Canada. A selected literature review identifies current best immunization practices. With the purpose of promoting quality improvement, three key Canadian immunization competencies for health professional are highlighted: communication with parents, including those who are experiencing vaccine hesitancy; administration of immunizing agents; and documentation of immunizations. Health professionals are encouraged to reflect on immunization competencies and ensure evidence-based practices underpin vaccine delivery in their primary care settings.
Highlights
Immunizing children is a complex practice that requires health professionals to appreciate global contexts, local practice guidelines, and scholarly evidence
The three competencies are addressed in this article by creating an analysis of best practices based on the Immunization Competencies for Health Professionals (PHAC, 2009), the Canadian Immunization Guide (NACI & PHAC, 2012), and four meta-analyses from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Canadian health professionals are encouraged to reflect on immunization competencies and ensure evidence-based practices underpin vaccine delivery in their primary care settings
Summary
Immunizing children is a complex practice that requires health professionals to appreciate global contexts, local practice guidelines, and scholarly evidence. Three key Canadian immunization competencies for health professionals are highlighted: communication with parents, including those who are experiencing vaccine hesitancy; administration of immunizing agents; and documentation of immunizations. Childhood immunization programs are publicly funded across Canada and delivered by a combination of public health professionals and primary care practitioners.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
