Overview:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), immunizations prevent between 2 and 3 million deaths per year. Despite this success, many children and adults in the US remain vulnerable to the 17 vaccine-preventable diseases. Although vaccination ranks high among the greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century, the success of any individual vaccine relies on correct and widespread administration to the appropriate patient population. Vaccine errors threaten to undermine the protection immunizations provide and often leave patients inadequately protected against serious diseases such as hepatitis A and B, pertussis, diphtheria, cervical cancer, and many others. This program will review events submitted to the ISMP National Vaccine Errors Reporting Program (VERP) and will include a discussion of the risks associated with vaccine errors, including COVID-19. There will be a review of the common types of errors involving vaccines as well as a discussion of best practices for preventing errors as well as patient harm that may occur when errors involve vaccines.

Objectives:

• Cite three commonly reported types of errors associated with vaccine utilization.
• Identify vaccine error risks with COVID-19 and other vaccines.
• Discuss best practice recommendations for preventing errors and preventable patient harm with vaccines.

• Michael Cohen, RPh, MS, ScD (hon), DPS (hon), FASHP, Founder and President Emeritus at the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)
• Ronald Zentz, RPh, DDS, FAGD, CPHRM, Risk Control Consulting Director, CNA
• Jennifer Flynn, CPHRM, Risk Manager, Nurses Services Organization (NSO)