An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 adults die annually from vaccine-preventable disease in the United States.¹ Adult vaccination rates for routine recommended vaccines in the United States are low, and well below projected Healthy People 2020 targets.²

Pharmacists are integral members of the immunization community and have positioned immunization services as an important patient care offering. The underuse of these widely available vaccines has created an opportunity for pharmacists to play a larger role in improving immunization rates and advancing public health.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has developed a Resource Guide designed to incorporate immunization services into pharmacy practice settings based on the JCPP Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP).

“The Resource Guide provides a guide for implementing immunization services within the pharmacist’s patient care process that will ultimately lead to increased access to and the administration of vaccine,” according to Mitchel Rothholz, APhA Chief Strategy Officer. “This benefits the health of our communities.”

Together, we play an important role in helping to educate patients about immunization recommendations. Visit our Web site to learn more, get connected and access resources and tools.

Sources:

  1. Healthy Americans Adult Immunization Brief
  2. Healthy People 2020