Hepatitis A and B combined cause chronic disease leading to the deaths of more than 1.3 million people across the globe. Despite widely available and effective vaccines, the vaccine rates for eligible adults are insufficient to achieve the U.S. goal of reducing new infections by 2030. In this edition of NP Pulse, nurse practitioners (NPs) Audrey Stevenson and Jessica Crimaldi review adult and child vaccination programs, the eligibility status of adults, which populations are most at risk for infection, the NP’s role in promoting vaccines and solutions for vaccines during outbreaks. Finally, NPs will be called upon as vaccine champions in their communities.

*This is an accredited podcast*

Learners desiring CE credit should listen for the participation code at the end of this podcast. In order to access this course, please visit the AANP CE Center.

Additional materials (Provider tool and Patient tool) may be found at: NP Tool Patient Tool

Funder statement: This educational activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from GSK.

On this episode of NP Pulse: The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, Drs. Mary Koslap-Petraco and Ruth Carrico will discuss meningococcal disease, the maze of meningococcal vaccines, ACIP recommendations and the use of shared clinical decision-making. Meningococcal disease — a life-threatening infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis — demands our attention. It strikes swiftly, leaving devastation in its wake. Still, we have powerful tools at our disposal: MenACWY and MenB vaccines, and a new, game-changing pentavalent vaccine that covers serogroups A, B, C, W and Y. Additionally, a meningitis point-of-care tool will be available on AANP’s Tools and Resources page.

To earn 1.0 contact hours of continuing education (CE) credit, you will need the participation code provided at the end of the podcast. To claim your CE credit, log in and register for the activity within the AANP CE Center, then enter the participation code and complete the post-test and evaluation. CE credit is available for this podcast through June 2025.

This educational activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from GSK.

Earlier this year, AANP announced the opening of international memberships — the culmination of years of work to extend the benefits of our membership to NPs and APNs living outside of the U.S. To speak with us today about the creation of international memberships, the benefits of joining AANP as an international member and some of the goals of the international membership program is Liz Messner, Vice President of Membership at AANP.