Influenza Vaccine Recommendations for the 2022-2023 Season: An Update for Pharmacists

Program Description

The annual burden of influenza in the United States is considerable and is impacted by several factors, including the characteristics of circulating viruses, timing of the season, efficacy of the vaccine against illness, and how many people choose to be vaccinated. According to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications should be vaccinated annually. Pharmacists play a critical role in reducing morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures associated with influenza by advocating for and administering influenza vaccines. Pharmacists can protect patients against seasonal influenza and influenza-related complications by facilitating influenza vaccines for all eligible patients, especially those that are high-risk for complications. Guidelines for the 2022-2023 influenza season, as well as considerations for pharmacists to improve influenza vaccination coverage and vaccine acceptance among certain patient populations and mitigate health care disparities will be discussed.

Target audience: Health-system and retail pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: October 4, 2022
Expiration date: December 4, 2022

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Examine the substantial burden of influenza, patients at higher risk for developing influenza-related complications, and the disparities in influenza vaccination coverage
• Explain the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for the 2022-2023 influenza season, including considerations for vaccination in specific populations
• Differentiate between currently available influenza vaccines, including their efficacy and safety profiles, contraindications, and precautions
• Identify the pharmacist’s role in influenza vaccination, including distinguishing patients at higher risk for influenza-related complications, providing effective patient education, and encouraging disease prevention strategies

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 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-22-413-L06-P. The activity is available for CE credit through December 4, 2022.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review 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

Lauren B. Angelo, PharmD, MBA, has the following financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:
Consultant: Moderna
Speakers Bureau: Seqirus, Inc.

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; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP; Liza Patel, PharmD, RPh; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta.

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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