Reducing and Preventing Influenza-Related Morbidity and Mortality Through Vaccinations: Educating Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Reducing and Preventing Influenza-Related Morbidity and Mortality Through Vaccinations: Educating Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

On-Demand 1-hour Accredited Webcast originally presented at the 11th Annual Directions in Pharmacy® Spring Conference on June 5, 2021.

Faculty Presenter

Rupal Mansukhani, PharmD, CTTS, FAPhA
Clinical Associate Professor
Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey

Clinical Pharmacist
Morristown Medical Center
Morristown, New Jersey

Moderator

Jessica L. Kerr, PharmD, CDCES
Associate Dean, Office of Professional and Student Affairs
Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy
Edwardsville, Illinois
 
Program Description
In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic especially during the upcoming influenza season, continuing education is warranted to improve awareness of the significance of obtaining the influenza vaccine for the 2020-2021 season. The identified gaps indicate a need to educate pharmacists about the incidence of influenza, its pathogenesis, its related complications, and the most common modes of transmission. Pharmacists should also be educated on the patient populations at greater risk for flu-related complications and increased morbidity and mortality rates, such as in the very young, the elderly patient population, and those with other comorbidities. They should also be prepared to address patient fears and concerns especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and be able to overcome barriers to influenza vaccination.

Target audience: Community pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: June 15, 2021
Expiration date: June 15, 2022
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

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

• Explain the pathogenesis of the influenza virus infection and most common modes of transmission
• Investigate the patient populations at elevated risk of influenza-related complications and the need to improve vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Examine the various options for influenza vaccines, including the safety and efficacy of vaccines recommended for the 2020-2021 influenza season
• Identify the critical roles of pharmacists as patient identifiers, patient educators, and vaccine administrators to augment influenza vaccination rates during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

 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 0290-0000-21-251-H06-P. The activity is available for CE credit through June 15, 2022.


Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the webcast 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.
 

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Disclosures

Faculty
 
Rupal Mansukhani, PharmD, CTTS, FAPhA, has no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Moderator

Jessica L. Kerr, PharmD, CDCES, has no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Liza Patel, PharmD, RPh; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; and Brianna Winters have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

An anonymous peer reviewer is used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has 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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[email protected]
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