Exploring Immunizations Updates and Strategies for Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy

This activity was originally broadcast during the PTCE Infectious Disease Day of Education 2024.

This activity includes immunization credit.

Program Description

Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective means to improve the health of patients and avoid certain diseases. However, some vaccine-preventable illnesses are reemerging in the United States due to unvaccinated individuals living in areas with low vaccination rates. In addition to increased complications and reduced quality of life, the economic burden associated with vaccine-preventable diseases must also be considered. Despite recommendations and available vaccinations, barriers to immunization among older adults still exist, and the CDC estimates that 3 in 4 adults are missing 1 or more routinely recommended vaccines. Pharmacists can provide pertinent information to assist patients in making informed decisions on immunizations while discussing the risks and benefits. This program will provide pharmacists with information on updated guideline recommendations and vaccination schedules. Actionable strategies pharmacists can implement to address vaccine hesitancy, improve communication, and provide solutions to overcome barriers to vaccination to increase vaccine uptake and confidence in their communities will also be discussed.

Target Audience: Health System Pharmacist, Retail Pharmacist

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: October 22, 2024
Expiration date: October 22, 2025
Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain the importance of providing widespread immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases and recommending vaccines according to approved schedules
• Discuss the 2024 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations regarding specific immunizations and shared decision-making considerations
• Examine strategies to improve awareness and uptake of vaccines and encourage completion of vaccine series
• Identify ways to increase vaccine confidence and have an open dialogue with patients on the importance of vaccines

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hours (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-24-301-H06-P. The activity is available for CE credit through October 22, 2025.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

Sneha Srivastava, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, DipACLM, FADCES, has the following financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Speaker Bureau: Xeris Pharmaceuticals

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP; Aleksandra Thomas; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta, and Rebecca Green have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times® Editorial Staff— Aislinn Antrim

Anonymous peer reviewers were used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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