The Pharmacist’s Impact on Shingles Prevention Through Vaccination: Recommendations, Uptake, and Improved Outcomes

This activity was originally presented at APhA2024 in Orlando, Florida.

This activity includes immunization credit.

Program Description
Shingles occurs when the varicella zoster virus, commonly contracted during childhood, reactivates and transforms into the herpes zoster virus. This poses a specific threat to older individuals and those with compromised immune systems. The shingles vaccine, administered in 2 doses spaced 2 to 6 months apart, is recommended for individuals aged 50 years and older and persons with immunosuppression aged 19 years and older to prevent shingles. Pharmacists play a crucial role in recognizing individuals who are eligible for the vaccine, overcoming vaccination hesitancy, and ensuring vaccination series completion. This activity will highlight the risk factors associated with acquiring the herpes zoster virus and the different ways it can manifest in patients. Through implementing strategies to advocate for the shingles vaccination series, pharmacists can enhance vaccination rates and contribute to improved series completion rates.

Target Audience: Retail Pharmacist

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: April 1, 2024
Expiration date: April 1, 2025

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Explain the risk factors associated with shingles, with a specific emphasis on the decline in immunity related to aging and conditions that compromise the immune system
• Identify the impact of shingles, such as disease prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, including the latest recommendations for shingles vaccination
• Employ effective strategies to promote higher vaccination rates and ensure completion of shingles vaccination series, fostering improved communication between health care professionals and patients regarding vaccination recommendations for shingles

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 CEUs) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-24-061-H06-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 1, 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

Lauren B. Angelo, PharmD, MBA, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Consultant: Moderna, Seqirus

Speaker: Pfizer

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

Faculty

Gretchen K. Garofoli, PharmD, BCACP, CTTS, FAPhA

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Rose Namissa-Buszka, PharmD, BCPS, CHCP; Adam C Welch, PharmD, MBA, FAPhA; Angelica Archibald; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta; and Rebecca Green have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

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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