Today, pharmacists are regarded as one of the most accessible and trustworthy healthcare providers. As a result, they play a significant role in advocating and educating the public on the need for vaccines. This has become increasingly important in combating low immunization rates, which is slowly becoming a nationwideproblem in the United States. Many parents do not understand the role vaccines play in eliminating and preventing the reappearances of diseases such as polio, chickenpox, whooping cough, measles and diphtheria. Some parents are now opting their children out of receiving immunization and because of this, diseases that once plagued the United States are now resurfacing. As pharmacists, we can help dispel the public’s misconceptions of vaccinations and restore the public’s trust in vaccines to reduce the acquisition of vaccine-preventable diseases.
By integrating this service into our practice we will not only improve the health of the public, but also help carve a new niche for our profession. Pharmacists are trained to identify and administer vaccinations for patients who fit certain criteria and are thus, more than qualified to provide this amenity. While the decision to vaccinate is ultimately up to the public, with the guidance of pharmacists, the public can make a more educated decision based on science and facts rather than sensationalism and myths.
Below is a schedule for vaccinations recommended by the CDC for adults and adolescents. The CDC also offers this schedule along with detailed information on each vaccine as a mobile application (CDC Vaccine Schedules) which can be downloaded to most mobile devices. All pharmacists should be familiarized with the schedules and administration of these vaccines.
By integrating this service into our practice we will not only improve the health of the public, but also help carve a new niche for our profession. Pharmacists are trained to identify and administer vaccinations for patients who fit certain criteria and are thus, more than qualified to provide this amenity. While the decision to vaccinate is ultimately up to the public, with the guidance of pharmacists, the public can make a more educated decision based on science and facts rather than sensationalism and myths.
Below is a schedule for vaccinations recommended by the CDC for adults and adolescents. The CDC also offers this schedule along with detailed information on each vaccine as a mobile application (CDC Vaccine Schedules) which can be downloaded to most mobile devices. All pharmacists should be familiarized with the schedules and administration of these vaccines.
Posted by Jonathan Tang, PharmD Candidate 2015.
1.) http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
2.) http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html
1.) http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
2.) http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html
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