Pharmacist Involvement with Immunizations: A Decade of Professional Advancement

Immunization Training: Right or Privilege?

“…The first formal national training and certificate program aimed at pharmacists was introduced by the American Pharmacists Association in 1996 and was quickly adopted as a curricular model and component by many colleges and schools. [1][2][3] The 1990s also saw extensive changes to many pharmacy practice acts, expanding the pharmacists' scope of practice to include the administration of immunizations. By 2004, forty-three states recognized pharmacists as immunizers, and now all 50 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have authorized such privileges.…”

“…The literature is now replete with references to the impact of pharmacist-provided immunization services on public health indicators related to vaccine-preventable diseases. 1,8 This should serve as a mandate to colleges and schools to develop practitioners with both the knowledge and skills to immunize. Training in this area should not be relegated to an elective component of curricula but rather recognized as a standard of practice that demands that all students demonstrate competency in providing immunizations upon graduation.…”

Individual- and Neighborhood-Level Characteristics Associated with Support of In-Pharmacy Vaccination among ESAP-Registered Pharmacies: Pharmacists’ Role in Reducing Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Influenza Vaccinations in New York City

“…It is likely that chain pharmacies have gained experience with inpharmacy vaccination since NYS legislation authorizing in-pharmacy vaccination was passed relatively late in the vaccinating pharmacist movement, which became nationally recognized in 1996. 16 With respect to neighborhood demographics, there has been a lack of research examining neighborhood-level characteristics and prevention services, particularly those occurring in pharmacy settings. Although past research has found higher individual household income to be a predictor of in-pharmacy vaccination usage, 17 our results indicate no effect of neighborhood-level socioeconomic (SES) character-istics on pharmacy staff support of in-pharmacy vaccination.…”

Impact of Interprofessional Activities on Health Professions Students’ Knowledge of Community Pharmacists’ Role and Services

“…Pharmacists serve as facilitators, advocators, and immunizers for vaccinations. 18,19 All 50 states have passed legislation allowing pharmacists to vaccinate. Even with increased patient accessibility to vaccinations throughout the United States, other healthcare providers may not be aware that pharmacists provide this service.…”