This activity was originally presented at the 2026 Directions in Pharmacy (DIP) Conference.
Program Description
As influenza continues to significantly impact public health in the United States, pharmacists will remain at the forefront of prevention efforts. Each year, influenza causes an estimated 25 to 50 million illnesses, up to 800,000 hospitalizations, and as many as 50,000 deaths nationwide, according to the CDC. Severe outcomes disproportionately affect older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, and people of all ages with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or immunocompromising conditions. Annual influenza vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention and control as it has shown to reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalizations by nearly 40% and prevent millions of cases annually. Yet, vaccination coverage remains suboptimal, with persistent disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups and in rural populations.
This session will review the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations, outline updates on available influenza vaccines, and highlight the pharmacist's critical role in improving vaccination uptake, optimizing vaccine selection, and addressing hesitancy to protect vulnerable populations across communities.
Target audience: Community pharmacists and retail pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: June 30, 2026
Expiration date: June 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:
- Examine the clinical and economic burden of influenza to reinforce the importance of pharmacist-led prevention and vaccination efforts across all eligible populations
- Apply current ACIP influenza vaccination recommendations in practice to ensure appropriate immunization for diverse patient groups, including pediatric, adult, and high-risk populations
- Use pharmacist-driven strategies to enhance influenza vaccine uptake through patient education, communication techniques to address hesitancy, and system-level interventions that reduce access barriers
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