Program Description
Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a painful rash that occurs due to the reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus. As the immune system undergoes age-related decline, the risk of reactivation increases in older adults and those with chronic comorbid conditions or receiving immunosuppressive therapies. Shingles has been found to affect 1 in 3 adults in their lifetime, but despite its common occurrence, surveys have found a lack of public awareness and low perception of risk among older adults. Current updates that will be highlighted in this webinar include recommendations for shingles vaccination and novel handling requirements for the recombinant zoster vaccine.
This webinar will support pharmacists as shingles vaccine administrators with proactive strategies to identify patients at high risk of shingles and leverage interventions to dispel myths and misconceptions contributing to shingles vaccine hesitancy. Patient counseling techniques and evidence-based efficacy data will be presented. Participants will gain practical tips to advocate for the 2-dose recombinant zoster vaccine series, successfully manage adverse effect expectations, guide immunocompromised populations in vaccine decision-making, and employ pharmacy tracking systems to support full series completion.
Target audience: Community pharmacists and ambulatory care pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: September 30, 2026
Expiration date: September 30, 2027
Learner level: Foundational
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe the burden of shingles and the public health significance of shingles vaccination, particularly among older adults and immunocompromised populations
- Explain the clinical efficacy, safety, and updated administration methods of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV)
- Apply effective communication strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and educate patients on the importance of completing the shingles vaccine series
- Use best practices to increase adherence and completion rates of the RZV series in diverse patient populations
Olivia Kinney, PharmD, MS
Professional Affairs Leader
Kroger Health
Cincinnati, OH
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 hour (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-26-314-H06-P. The activity is available for CE credit through September 30, 2027.
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.
Faculty
The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:
Olivia Kinney, PharmD, MS
The staff of Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.
At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
AI Disclosure
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may have been used to support the development of this continuing education activity, such as for data organization or slide design. All AI-assisted content was reviewed and verified by qualified staff, faculty, or planners before release to ensure accuracy, balance, and freedom from commercial bias. Where applicable, specific details regarding the AI tool, its purpose, and the review process are disclosed within the activity materials. The accredited provider retains full responsibility for the activity’s content, accuracy, balance, and independence.
Educational Disclaimer
Continuing professional education 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 be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.
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