Effective Ways Pharmacists Can Educate, Encourage Patients to Get Flu Vaccines | NCPA 2024

Although a majority of adults in the United States agree that flu vaccines are the most effective way to prevent flu-related hospitalizations and death, only 38% said that they definitely plan on getting a flu vaccine this year.¹ Considering this low number and that peak flu season is just around the corner, it’s critical that pharmacists educate their patients and bring awareness to the importance of getting flu vaccinations.

At the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) 2024 Annual Convention and Expo, held October 26 to 29 in Columbus, Ohio, Drug Topics sat down with Lauren Angelo, PharmD, MBA, associate dean of academic affairs and an associate professor of pharmacy practice at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy, to discuss the recommended timing for flu vaccination, how pharmacists can help ensure patients receive vaccines at the optimal time, and effective ways pharmacists can educate and encourage their communities on the importance of flu vaccination amid increased vaccine fatigue and hesitancy.

“With vaccine fatigue and hesitancy, we are seeing a spectrum of issues,” Angelo said. “There are patients who are going to outright refuse to get vaccinated and I don’t think that’s a good use of our time. What we can focus on and get the best return of investment on is individuals who are unsure or undecided about getting a vaccine. It’s probably just because they have questions or they have gotten some misinformation and they just don’t know.”

“Using some of those more marketing related resources to educate patients on the severity of disease and the importance of being vaccinated I think is going to go a long way,” she added.

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Coverage of the National Community Pharmacists Association 2024 Annual Convention and Expo was supported by Red Sail, with independent editorial content creation on-site by the Drug Topics team.

References

1. 2024 National Survey: Attitudes and Behaviors about Influenza, COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Pneumococcal Disease. NFID. September 25, 2024. Accessed November 5, 2024. https://www.nfid.org/resource/2024-national-survey-attitudes-and-behaviors-about-influenza-covid-19-respiratory-syncytial-virus-and-pneumococcal-disease/