PA-AAP and CHOP Vaccine Education Center: Vaccine Equity for Autistic People & Communicating about Vaccines

The purpose of this interactive, self-paced online Autism provider education course is to help healthcare personnel communicate with patients and parents about challenges of the vaccine experience and considerations for improving vaccination for Autistic patients. The modules offer answers to frequently asked questions and tips on best practices for communication.

Target Audience

This course is intended for primary care physicians, hospitalists, general medicine internists, family practitioners, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other allied health professionals.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this presentation, you should be able to:

  • Recognize patient with neurodiverse conditions and describe challenges to vaccination visits.
  • Demonstrate skills to communicate with families and people with neurodiverse conditions.
  • Apply the best principles and practices of how to support patients with neurodiversity at vaccination visits.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
08/21/2023
Course expires: 
08/21/2026
PA AAP
United States

Planning Committee: 

  • Sharon Humiston, MD, MPH, FAAP - Professor of Pediatrics at Children’s Mercy and University of Missouri-Kansas City and a member of the Vaccine Education Center Advisory Board at CHOP.

Dr. Humiston receives Grant/Research support from Sanofi US, Merck & Co, Inc., GSK, Valneva, and Seqirus USA, Inc.   Dr. Humiston is a   Consultant and member of the Speakers’ Bureau for Sanofi US.

Course Directors:

  • Angela Shen, ScD, MPH – Visiting Research Scientist at the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, retired Captain in the US Public Health Services, and a public health consultant

Dr. Shen receives Grant/Research support from Sanofi US, Merck & Co., Inc., GSK Valneva, and Seqirus USA, Inc.

  • Eileen Thompson, RN, BSN - Director, Practice-Based Initiatives; Program Director | PA Medical Home Program; Program Director | Obesity and Food Insecurity Initiatives; PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics

No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclaimer Statement:

The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

Joint Sponsor and Accreditation Statement:
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP). The University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician (CME)
The University of Pittsburgh designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nursing (CNE)
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 1.0 contact hour.

Other health care professionals will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 1.00 Attendance
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