Pharmacists Play Key Role in Educating Patients About RSV Vaccine | ASHP Midyear
A conversation with Chelsea Keedy, PharmD, BCACP, clinical assistant professor at the University of Georgia.
Since October 1, there have been between 17000 and 34000 hospitalizations and between 690 and 1700 deaths due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the US, according to preliminary data from the CDC.1 While the virus causes only mild illness in most individuals, it can lead to more severe disease in infants and older adults. Vaccination remains the best way to protect against RSV. However, a survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases found that only 21% for whom the RSV vaccine is recommended said they would definitely get it.2
At the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2024 Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition, held December 8 to 12 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Drug Topics sat down with Chelsea Keedy, PharmD, BCACP, clinical assistant professor at the University of Georgia, to discuss How pharmacists can effectively counsel patients who are vaccine hesitant to receive an RSV vaccine.
“I think pharmacists play a huge role in the education of patients to make sure that they have the information about where and how to get the vaccine and what to expect,” Keedy said. “I think pharmacists can really play a role in identifying patients who are eligible for the vaccine and may not have yet gotten it, encouraging those individuals to get the vaccine, helping them understand how and where they have access to the vaccine, and what to expect.”
Follow along with our coverage of the 2024 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition here.
