August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Each year, this month is a reminder of the importance of vaccines and the healthcare professionals who safely provide vaccinations to patients.
Dr. Keri Hurley is a health sciences associate clinical professor in the UC Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and a practicing clinical pharmacist in primary care at a Federally Qualified Health Center.
Here, Dr. Hurley discusses the benefits of getting vaccinations in a community pharmacy, the importance of empathy, and the value of vaccine education.
What are the benefits of getting vaccinated at a local pharmacy?
“Just like at a clinic or physician’s office, when a patient receives vaccines in their neighborhood pharmacy, they will be screened to ensure they can safely receive the vaccine. This also allows the pharmacist to identify other vaccines the patient may need.
A major benefit of pharmacy-based immunization services is improved community access. Most pharmacies will provide vaccines without an appointment, often outside of regular business hours. Additionally, they can reduce the appointment burden for other healthcare providers.”
How can pharmacists best communicate with their patients to address their concerns about vaccines?
“There is a lot of confusing information out there about vaccines, so it’s understandable that many patients have genuine questions. I’ve found that when their concerns are acknowledged as valid and are met with empathy and evidence-based answers, patients are often receptive and engaged. It is impossible to overstate the seriousness of our professional responsibility to meet patients where they are in order to respond honestly and thoroughly to their concerns.”
Why is vaccine education important?
“Vaccine education in its most basic form includes making sure the patient understands what diseases the vaccines prevent, as well as potential adverse effects. Pharmacists and other providers should be prepared to discuss a very wide range of topics related to the value of vaccination — why one or more vaccines is recommended for a certain patient at the current time, how vaccines are studied and monitored for efficacy and safety, how population-level vaccine recommendations are made, and others. Answering specific questions is also vital, since 100 patients may have 100 different concerns, and our credibility and their perceptions of vaccines in general may depend on whether they receive reassurance or feel disregarded.”
How does giving pharmacists more time with patients help to improve patient care?
“When pharmacists can commit adequate time to vaccine-related assessments, they can not only ensure that patients do not receive vaccines that may pose a safety risk but can also identify any additional vaccines the patient may need and have those crucial conversations to address concerns and questions.
Pharmacists are highly trained immunization specialists, and dedicating the necessary time and attention helps build trust with patients and supports the overall health of communities.”
