Pharmacists are the Leading Provider of Immunizations

 

 

Let’s Reduce The Risk For Children…

And In Turn, The Adults In Their Lives.

Last season saw the highest hospitalization rates in children, resulting in 188 laboratory-confirmed flu-related pediatric deaths.

It is well documented that children consistently have the highest attack rates of influenza in the community during seasonal influenza epidemics. Children tend to transmit the infection to their classmates and members of their households. With schools beginning to open across the country, the need to protect children from the flu while we are in the midst of a pandemic, makes efforts to immunize children of utmost importance. It is possible have flu and COVID-19 at the same time.

     – the need to protect children is of utmost importance –

While pediatricians are the primary care providers for children 18 and under, pharmacists are able to play a crucial role as a member of a child’s healthcare team. Pharmacist are authorized to provide routine immunizations for children 3 and up as well as the flu vaccine and COVI-19 (once a vaccine is available).

Nation-wide, vaccination rates have declined. While it is understandable that parents are concerned about taking their children to medical facilities, they should know that there is another option, their local community pharmacy.

As noted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “concerted efforts are needed to ensure rapid catch-up for children who are not up-to-date with measles-containing vaccines as well as other ACIP-recommended vaccinations.”

 

Pharmacists Are The Leading Provider Of Immunizations

Pharmacists are medication experts who use their detailed knowledge of medicines to help patients get well. Through providing immunizations, compounding and dispensing medications, pharmacists are the professionals who will always put your health first. As scientists, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to assess your total health needs, including what foods, drinks, activities, or other drugs could affect medication or what to do about a missed dose, while providing immunization services to ensure your overall, lifelong health.

What Else Do Pharmacists Do?

There’s more to pharmacists than you think. In addition to being at your community pharmacy, they’re on the frontlines of every aspect of healthcare — helping to ensure better outcomes for you and your family.

Pharmacists are responsible for:
  • Administering immunizations
  • Dispensing and creating medications and assuring that what’s prescribed is safe, suitable, and appropriate for the patient.
  • Advising patients about medicines, including how to take them, what reactions may occur and answering patients’ questions.
  • Advising other healthcare professionals about safe and effective medicine use, and secure supply of medicines.
  • Responding to patients’ symptoms and advising on the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications for sale in pharmacies.
  • Providing services to patients, such as helping them quit smoking, measuring blood pressure and managing cholesterol, and managing diabetes.
  • Supervising the production and preparation of medicines and assessing the purity and quality of those medications.
  • Providing knowledge about the composition of drugs based on their chemical, biological, and physical properties, as well as their manufacture and use.

 

Immunize With Convenience!

The American Disease Prevention Control reports that Most Americans prefer to get  vaccines at the pharmacy. According to the Prescribe Wellness 2017 Vaccination and Preventive Care Survey, 62% of respondents chose their pharmacy over their other settings, mostly due to convenience. As many as 26% stated their pharmacy is a “one-stop shop” for many health and wellness needs. Another 24% said it was easier to get to than the doctor’s office.

In addition, the American Disease Prevention Control notes*:

 

Sources:

  • *statistics found here: https://vaccinesshouldntwait.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ADPC-ResearchSummary.pdf
  • https://www.aappublications.org/news/2020/09/08/flupolicy090820
  • https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2020/09/14/peds.2020-024588
  • https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6920e1.htm