As we approach the fall and winter seasons, many respiratory illnesses are becoming increasingly prevalent. The CDC recommends administration of all age-appropriate vaccines at once (i.e., coadministration) unless contraindicated. Vaccine coadministration ensures that patients receive protection against common respiratory illnesses in just one visit to the pharmacy. This reduces patients’ time burden and facilitates efficient immunization workflow for pharmacy staff. The idea is to get people up to date on all the vaccines they are due for at one visit. This can ensure that people get all of their vaccines, in case they are not able to return visit for additional vaccinations at a later time.
For pharmacists who need a refresher on best practices for vaccine coadministration, the CDC provides a plethora of resources. These include ACIP’s “General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization,” “Health Alert Network,” and “Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.” Most patients will be eligible to receive these vaccines for free through their insurance. For patients without insurance, consider a referral to an entity that provides free vaccines to eligible individuals. These include health departments, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), CDC Bridge Access Program pharmacy members, and Vaccines for Children program providers.
To learn more about clinical considerations and best practices for vaccine coadministration, visit the following sources:
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