Deficiencies in Immunization Education and Training in Pharmacy Schools: A Call to Action

Abstract

Approximately 38% of US pharmacy schools provide immunization education and training to pharmacy students as part of their core curricula. These deficiencies in immunization education and training may contribute to low immunization rates for some groups of people, particularly hard-to-reach consumers and those with misconceptions about vaccinations. In this paper, we call upon all pharmacy schools to mandate immunization education and training as part of their core curricula, not just as an elective course. In doing so, we encourage pharmacy schools to adopt the Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery program developed by the American Pharmacists Association. We recognize that implementation of these recommendations will require sufficient resources and that it will take time to change the curricula in colleges and schools of pharmacy.

Comparison of Low- and Higher-Fidelity Simulation to Train and Assess Pharmacy Students' Injection Technique

“…1 As health professionals qualified to administer vaccines, pharmacists must support public health initiatives by promoting vaccinations and providing immunization services. 2 Pharmacist-provided patient education and immunization services align with the Healthy People 2020 goal to "increase immunization rates and reduce preventable infectious disease." 3 Immunization rates remain low in the United States.…”

“…4 As the need for immunizing pharmacists expands, pharmacy colleges and schools are called upon to make immunization training part of their required curriculum. 2 Training can be enhanced through the use of simulation, which allows students to develop patient care skills in a controlled environment. 5,6 The use of patient simulators in education increases student confidence, enhances knowledge, and ensures accuracy of patient care activities.…”

Immunization Training: Right or Privilege?

“…A 2009 report found that approximately 38% of colleges and schools of pharmacy were providing immunization education and training as a component of their core curricula. 5 Gaps and lack of uniformity in education are creating challenges for pharmacy students and practicing pharmacists alike as boards of pharmacy and employers adopt different legislative and workplace regulations regarding the preparedness and privilege to immunize. From a public health standpoint, these educational gaps may contribute to low immunization rates and the ability or inability of the US health care system to achieve quality health indicators in this area as targeted in Healthy People 2020.…”

Immunization Education in US Pharmacy Colleges and Schools

“…In 2009, Bain and colleagues reported that approximately 38% of US pharmacy colleges/schools provided education and training on immunizations as part of their core curricula; however, these data were based on personal communication with the APhA. 17 More recently, Prescott and colleagues conducted a 2013 survey of US colleges/schools of pharmacy designed to characterize pediatric curricular content. This study revealed that (pediatric) immunizations were taught by 86% of colleges/schools.…”