ADVERTISEMENT
Search

Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery

Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery

APhA’s Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate training program is based on national educational standards for immunization training from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This practice-based curriculum represents a fusion of science and clinical pharmacy. The program, which emphasizes a health care team approach, seeks to foster the implementation of interventions that will promote disease prevention and public health.

The purpose of this certificate training program is to prepare pharmacists with comprehensive knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to provide immunization services to patients across the life span.

Pricing

Program is available through our licensed partners; there are currently no APhA offerings available.

To see a list of our current partners offering this course, please click here: Partners That Host APhA Programs

If your company or organization is interested in offering this program to your pharmacists or student pharmacists, please contact Chris McKerrow.


Learning Objectives & Module Details
The Self-study contains the following content:
  • Immunization Pre-Assessment
  • 23 Immunization Self-study Modules
  • 23 Immunization Self-study Assessments
  • 6 Immunization Ancillary Self-study Modules
  • 6 Immunization Ancillary Self-study Assessments
  • Immunization Technique Video
Self-Study Learning Objectives:
Module 01: Immunizations and the Role of Pharmacists

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

  • Describe the impact that vaccines have had on public health
  • Explain how pharmacists and student pharmacists can help to improve vaccination rates
  • Identify opportunities for pharmacists and student pharmacists to be immunization advocates
Module 02: Introduction to Immunology

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

  • Identify the differences between active and passive immunity
  • Explain how vaccines elicit an immune response via the adaptive immune process
  • Discuss the rationale for timing of vaccine administration and intervals between doses, including spacing between other vaccines and antibodies
  • Describe principles of herd immunity
Module 03: Vaccine Types and Technologies

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

  • Identify vaccines that are live and inactivated
  • Describe the characteristics and distinctions between live and inactivated vaccines
  • Discuss the rationale for timing of vaccine administration and intervals between dosing
Module 04: Immunizations and the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process

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

  • Apply the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process to immunization services
  • Identify how and when to assess patients for vaccination needs
  • Determine appropriate screening questions to identify precautions and contraindications to vaccinations
Module 05: Immunization Recommendations and Schedules

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

  • Differentiate between immunization recommendations, vaccine product approvals, and emergency use authorizations
  • Locate and apply the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations
  • Explain how to read and interpret the CDC’s immunization schedules for children, adolescents, and adults
Module 06: Influenza

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

  • Describe the transmission and clinical features of influenza
  • Compare and contrast symptoms of the common cold and influenza
  • Identify age-appropriate influenza vaccination options for a patient
  • Describe efficacy and safety information related to influenza vaccinations
Module 07: Pneumococcal

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

  • Describe the causes, clinical features, and potential complications of pneumococcal disease that can be prevented with vaccination
  • Identify target groups who should receive the pneumococcal vaccination based on risk factors and on recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization (ACIP)
  • List the pneumococcal vaccines approved for use in the U.S. and how they differ
Module 08: Meningococcal

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

  • Describe the causes, clinical features, and potential complications of meningococcal disease that can be prevented with vaccination
  • Identify target groups who should receive meningococcal vaccination based on risk factors, including outbreaks, and ACIP recommendations
  • List the meningococcal vaccines approved for use in the U.S. and the ways they differ
  • Identify the recommended groups and discussion points to include during shared clinical decision-making for meningococcal B vaccines
Module 09: Human Papillomavirus

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

  • Describe the clinical features and potential complications of human papillomavirus disease
  • Identify target groups who should receive the human papillomavirus vaccine based on ACIP recommendations
  • Develop patient education strategies for potential human papillomavirus vaccine recipients
Module 10: Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis

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

  • Describe the clinical features and potential complications of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis infections
  • Compare and contrast vaccines to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
  • Identify target groups who should receive the vaccines containing tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis based on ACIP recommendations
Module 11: Varicella and Zoster

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

  • Describe the clinical features and potential complications of disease due to varicella zoster virus
  • Identify target groups who should receive the varicella and zoster vaccines based on ACIP recommendations
  • List the varicella and zoster vaccines approved for use in the U.S. and the ways they differ
Module 12: Hepatitis A & B

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

  • Describe the causes of, clinical features, and potential complications of hepatitis A and hepatitis B
  • List the characteristics of the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines, including the combination vaccine
  • Identify target groups who should receive the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines based on risk factors and ACIP recommendations
  • Describe the causes of recent hepatitis A and hepatitis B outbreaks and the way such outbreaks can be prevented and managed
  • Explain the pre- and post-testing recommendations for the hepatitis B vaccine
Module 13: Measles, Mumps and Rubella

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

  • Describe the causes of, clinical features, and potential complications of measles, mumps, and rubella
  • List the characteristics and contraindications of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
  • Identify target groups who should receive the MMR vaccine based on risk factors and ACIP recommendations
  • Discuss the impact of recent measles and mumps outbreaks
Module 14: Additional Pediatric Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Polio, Hib, and Rotavirus)

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

  • Describe the clinical features and potential complications of rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae (Hib), and polio infections
  • Identify recommended groups who should receive the rotavirus, Hib, and polio vaccines based on ACIP recommendations
  • Incorporate combination vaccines into recommended vaccination plans for pediatric patients
Module 15: COVID-19

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

  • Describe the causes of, clinical features, and potential complications of COVID-19
  • Recognize groups at high risk for COVID-19 disease or exposure
  • List the COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S.
  • Differentiate a third dose from a booster dose
  • Describe the safety concerns and adverse reactions with the vaccines, including when coadministered with other vaccines
  • List the documentation required following COVID-19 vaccine administration
Module 16: Educating Patients About Vaccines

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

  • Define vaccine hesitancy and strategies to build patient confidence in vaccines
  • Address vaccine misinformation and safety concerns
  • Use a shared decision-making approach when recommending vaccines to patients
  • Communicate risks and benefits of vaccines
  • Provide postvaccination counseling
Module 17: Vaccine Storage and Handling

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

  • Explain the importance of maintaining the cold chain for vaccines
  • Describe recommendations from the CDC regarding proper storage and handling of vaccines
Module 18: Vaccine Administration Overview

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

  • Describe how to prepare vaccines for administration
  • Explain how to administer intramuscular and subcutaneous vaccines to adults and children
  • List steps for preventing errors with vaccine administration
Module 19: Managing Vaccine Reactions

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

  • Compare and contrast local, systemic, and allergic reactions to a vaccine
  • Describe the process to appropriately manage vaccine reactions
  • Recognize and treat anaphylaxis owing to a vaccine
Module 20: Standing Orders and Protocols

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

  • Explain the purpose of standing orders and protocols
  • Describe information that should be included in standing orders and protocols for immunization services
  • List resources for more information about standing orders and protocols for immunization services
Module 21: Documentation and Liability

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

  • Describe information that should be included in documentation for vaccinations
  • Discuss the use of immunization information systems
  • Describe national reporting systems for adverse events and errors associated with vaccines
  • Explain liability risks and legal protections for authorized immunizers
Module 22: Administrative and Operational Issues

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

  • Describe the components of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
  • Explain how to implement reminder and recall systems for multidose vaccine series
Module 23: Payments for Immunization Services

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

  • List opportunities to obtain compensation and reimbursement for vaccination services
  • Identify codes that are used when billing third-party payers for vaccinations
  • Describe the process and rules around billing for immunizations

Ancillary Self-Study Modules:
Module - Vaccine Hesitancy and Motivational Interviewing

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

  • Describe vaccine hesitancy
  • Discuss the role of social determinants of health in vaccine hesitancy
  • List steps of the transtheoretical model of health behavior change
  • Describe key principles of motivational interviewing
  • Explain how to apply motivational interviewing skills and strategies
Module - Pharmacy Workflow for Immunization Services

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

  • Explain how the pharmacy practice setting affects workflow models for immunization services
  • List factors that affect scheduling for vaccine services
  • Describe roles for support staff in the delivery of pharmacy-based immunization services
Module - Mass Vaccination Clinics

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

  • List situations in which a mass vaccination clinic would be appropriate
  • Describe considerations for planning a mass vaccination clinic
  • Identify best practices for a mass vaccination clinic
Module - Marketing an Immunization Program

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

  • Describe print and nonprint strategies that can be used to market vaccination services
  • List examples of free print and nonprint materials that can be used to market vaccination services
  • Explain how pharmacists can develop relationships in their community that support their vaccination services
Module - Working with Pharmacy Technicians

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

  • Explain roles for pharmacy technicians in supporting pharmacy-based immunization services
  • Identify immunization-related roles that should be performed by only pharmacists
  • List activities that pharmacy technicians can perform to streamline the workflow for vaccination and pharmacy operations
Module - Volunteer Opportunities and International Vaccine Programs

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

  • Discuss volunteer roles for pharmacists in public health immunization programs
  • Describe opportunities for pharmacists to become involved with international vaccination programs and global public health promotion
  • Describe liability and scope-of-practice considerations for volunteering pharmacists
Live Seminar Learning Objectives

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

  • Describe strategies for increasing immunization rates, including physician collaborations, community level activities, and immunization coalition activities
  • Describe pharmacy operations and a process for administering vaccines in various pharmacy practice settings
  • Evaluate patient histories and make patient-specific recommendations based on the appropriate immunization schedule
  • Demonstrate effective strategies for communicating with patients who have concerns about vaccines
  • Describe current evidence regarding vaccine safety
  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of adverse reactions that can occur after vaccination
  • Describe procedures for management of patients with adverse reactions to vaccination that constitute an emergency
  • List the steps for administering currently available intranasal and intradermal vaccines
  • Demonstrate appropriate intramuscular and subcutaneous injection techniques for adult immunization

How to Obtain a Certificate of Completion
  • Complete the self-study interactive eLearning modules, assessments and video.
  • Complete the live seminar training and assessment.
  • Achieve a passing grade of 70% or higher on the self-study assessment and final assessment.
  • Participants will need to have a valid APhA (pharmacist.com) username and password, as well as a CPE Monitor account to claim credit. After credit has been claimed, please visit CPE monitor for your transcript.
  • The Certificate of Completion will be available online upon successful completion of all components of the program and will be available on the participant's My Training page.
  • APhA continuing pharmacy education policy provides you with two opportunities to successfully complete a continuing pharmacy education assessment. Please note that you will not be permitted to submit an assessment a third time. The current policy of the APhA Education Department is not to release the correct answers to any of our CPE tests. This is intended to maintain the integrity of the CPE activity and the assessment.
Accreditation Information

The American Pharmacists Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. APhA's Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery is approved for a total of 20.0 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credit (2.0 CEUs). The ACPE Universal Activity Numbers (UAN) for this activity are listed below.

  • Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Self-study is approved for 12 hours (1.2 CEU) of CPE credit. ACPE UAN 0202-0000-23-154-H06-P
  • Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Live Seminar is approved for 8 hours (0.8 CEU) of CPE credit. ACPE UAN 0202-0000-23-155-L06-P / 0202-9999-23-155-L06-P
  • Target Audience: Pharmacists and student pharmacists in all practice settings
  • Release Date: March 31, 2023
  • Expiration Date: March 31, 2026 - PLEASE NOTE: NO Home Study credit granted after this date; Live Credit can only be granted within 60 days from the day of the seminar attended or before the expiration date, whichever is sooner.
Technology Requirements and Tips

Computer and Internet access are required to complete this activity. If you experience technical difficulties, try a different web browser.

Please be aware that if the system detects no activity for an extended amount of time while the screen is open in the interactive activity, the Next button may freeze, and you will need to Restart that activity again.

The recommendation is that if you cannot complete the activity within one sitting and need to step away, close the activity so that your place is bookmarked.

If you continue to experience difficulties, please reach out to education@aphanet.org with the name of course, details of your experience, which web browser(s) used and if possible, screenshots.


Faculty

Jeff Goad, Pharm.D., MPH, FAPhA, FCPhA, FCSHP

Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Chapman University School of Pharmacy
Irvine, California

Disclosures: Merck Vaccines – Speakers Bureau; Consultant – Travax

Jean-Venable “Kelly” R. Goode, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA, FCCP

Professor and Director, Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia

Disclosure: Speaker – Valneva; Advisory Board – Sanofi, Merck, Pfizer

Vincent A. Hartzell, Pharm.D.

President
Hartzell's Pharmacy
Catasauqua, Pennsylvania

Disclosure: Author has nothing to disclose

Carrie Foust Koenigsfeld, Pharm.D, FAPhA

Professor of Clinical Sciences
Drake University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Des Moines, Iowa

Disclosure: Speaker – GSK, Pfizer

Development

Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery was developed by the American Pharmacists Association. Copyright © 2024 by the American Pharmacists Association.
APhA's Education staff involved in the review of this content declare no conflict of interest or financial interest in any product or service mentioned, including grants, employment, gifts, stock holdings, and honoraria. For a full listing of APhA Staff Disclosures, please see the APhA Disclosure Statement webpage at APhA Staff Disclosures.
ADVERTISEMENT