Training student pharmacists to administer pediatric immunizations

To describe the implementation of a pediatric vaccination training for student pharmacists and to assess student confidence in providing pediatric vaccinations after taking part in a mixed media, traditional lecture, and active learning, formatted training course.

Student pharmacists were trained with a two-hour pediatric immunization training module which consisted of materials to detail administration techniques. Students were assessed using a live skills assessment and a multiple-choice knowledge examination. To assess student confidence in these skills, the students were given a pre- and post-instruction survey which was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test.

All 170 students enrolled successfully completed the knowledge assessment with an average score of 87% (SD 10%). The skills assessment items most commonly needing remediation were verifying that caregivers received the Vaccine Information Sheet (24%) and reviewing comfort measures and after care instructions with the caregiver (24%). The pre-course survey was completed by 169 out of 170 student pharmacists (99.4%) while the post-course survey was completed by 164 student pharmacists (96.4%) with each item showing a statistically significant increase in perceived confidence in vaccine administration.

Pediatric vaccination training was integrated into a doctor of pharmacy curriculum with the goals of increasing student knowledge and confidence in giving pediatric immunizations. Upon course completion, there was a statistically significant increase in student-perceived knowledge and confidence when administering pediatric immunizations. By expanding access to pediatric immunizers, pharmacists can aid in increasing immunization rates improving public health in their communities.