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.
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
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.
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