Pharmacists for Healthier Lives Encourages Immunization Education

Pharmacists for Healthier Lives (PfHL) has launched a new campaign aimed at educating the public on the importance of immunizations to maintain a healthy population.¹ The organization aims to raise the profile of pharmacy as an essential health care profession in the industry.^1,2

The launch of the campaign comes just in time for back to school season, during a time in which public misinformation about the safety of vaccines has become prevalent. PfHL maintains their stance on the public receiving vaccinations, encouraging every eligible person to get them and to speak with their pharmacist to get the right facts about vaccines, according to the organization.¹

“The new school year has once again put the issue of immunizations front and center. Unfortunately, there is still a lot of misinformation being spread about vaccinations,” said Lucinda Maine, PhD, RPh, Executive Vice President & CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), in a prepared statement.¹ “Pharmacists for Healthier Lives is launching this effort to provide the facts on immunization and encourage every eligible person to receive their vaccinations.”

Started with AACP, Pharmacists for Healthier Lives is now a multiorganizational effort to increase awareness about the important role pharmacists play in their patients’ lives. Partner organizations include the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), and the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA), among others.²

Along with the release of this campaign, PfHL released a consensus statement earlier this summer that was signed by 16 pharmacy organizations and stakeholders. This statement emphasized their commitment to immunizations that help to prevent and eliminate communicable diseases.¹

The coalition's new campaign will highlight several videos with leading pharmacists from diverse backgrounds, including Maine. Since these experts have had the highest form of training in the science of vaccines and how they interact with the human body, they are in a unique position to help counsel the public on the safety and efficacy of becoming immunized.¹

In addition to Maine, the pharmacists featured in the 'Importance of Immunization' campaign include Todd D. Sorensen, PharmD, Professor and Associate Dean, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy; Lakesha M. Butler PharmD, Clinical Associate Professor, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy; David D. Allen, RPh, PhD, Dean and Professor, The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy; and Anne Lin, PharmD, Dean and Professor, Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy.

Reference

• Pharmacists for healthier lives launches campaign expressing the importance of immunization [news release]. Arlington, VA; September 17, 2019: RP3 Agency [email]. Accessed September 18, 2019.
• Coppock K. Expanding Public Understanding About Pharmacists' Roles. Pharmacy Times website. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/conferences/aacp-2019/expanding-public-understanding-about-pharmacists-roles. Published July 23, 2019. Accessed September 18, 2019.