Immunization Education in US Pharmacy Colleges and Schools

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Education
• Immunization Practices
• Public Health

Background:

• Accredited US pharmacy schools are surveyed to assess immunization education coverage.
• Understanding current immunization and vaccine content taught is crucial for pharmacist training.
• The study evaluates the integration of immunization education within pharmacy curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the extent of immunization coverage in US pharmacy colleges and schools.
• To characterize the immunization and vaccine-related content taught in these institutions.
• To compare immunization training opportunities based on state-level vaccination policies for pharmacy students.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to 128 accredited US pharmacy colleges and schools.
• Frequency and descriptive statistics analyzed survey data.
• Fisher exact test compared practical experience opportunities (IPPEs/APPEs) in states with differing student vaccination laws.

Main Results:

• A 62.5% response rate (80 schools) was achieved.
• 91.3% of schools offered the APhA Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Program.
• Immunization topics are integrated into core curricula (86.3%) and electives (45%), with 85.2% of identified topics covered by most schools.
• Over 80% offered introductory (IPPEs) and over 90% offered advanced (APPEs) pharmacy practice experiences with immunization activities.
• Schools in states allowing student vaccination provided significantly more immunization-related IPPEs and APPEs.

Conclusions:

• Immunization curricula in US pharmacy schools align with ACPE standards and professional recommendations.
• The APhA Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Program is a widely adopted resource for training.
• State laws permitting student vaccination enhance practical immunization training opportunities.