Engaging Communities to Strengthen Vaccine Confidence | Building Vaccine Confidence with APhA
Objective: Discuss community-level strategies to engage individuals and special populations.
· Topics Covered:
o Community outreach programs driven by pharmacists.
· Unique to pharmacists and the pharmacy team is their ability to get outside of their 4 walls and bring vaccines and other healthcare services to where people are
o Central to many of these programs is support from government agencies and other payers – the availability of these resources in the future is unclear at this time.
o Utilization of Community Health Workers (CPESN/NCPA Health Care Worker / Technician program)
§ There are pilots using codes that could be billed for this service. Question is will money continue to be available
§ Build on trust the public has with pharmacy team members – think about what other screening / preventive services you can incorporate with these trained individuals. - they can be ambassadors for your practice
o Addressing cultural and socioeconomic barriers to vaccine confidence.
o Case studies of innovative engagement efforts, including partnerships with local organizations and faith-based groups.
o How pharmacies can leverage their accessibility to serve as vaccination champions.
· Featured Guests:
· Key Takeaway: Collaboration with communities
Listen to all 3-parts of this series:
https://pharmacypodcast.com/2025/03/10/vaccine-confident-podcast-series/
· Topics Covered:
o Community outreach programs driven by pharmacists.
· Unique to pharmacists and the pharmacy team is their ability to get outside of their 4 walls and bring vaccines and other healthcare services to where people are
o Central to many of these programs is support from government agencies and other payers – the availability of these resources in the future is unclear at this time.
o Utilization of Community Health Workers (CPESN/NCPA Health Care Worker / Technician program)
§ There are pilots using codes that could be billed for this service. Question is will money continue to be available
§ Build on trust the public has with pharmacy team members – think about what other screening / preventive services you can incorporate with these trained individuals. - they can be ambassadors for your practice
o Addressing cultural and socioeconomic barriers to vaccine confidence.
- Connect with trusted community leaders
- Understand concerns from the populations your serve and who the influencers are with the community and family units
- Don’t preach – provide credible information and let them process it
o Case studies of innovative engagement efforts, including partnerships with local organizations and faith-based groups.
- Offer to do talks
- Have discussion with organization leader and provide them with the facts they can use to reinforce messages
o How pharmacies can leverage their accessibility to serve as vaccination champions.
- Luke can talk about access; distance to pharmacies; pharmacy deserts
- Community health clinics, events, politicians events, etc.
· Featured Guests:
- Brigid Groves, PharmD, MS
- Mitch Rothholz, RPh, MBA, FAPhA
- Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, BCACP, FAPhA
· Key Takeaway: Collaboration with communities
Listen to all 3-parts of this series:
https://pharmacypodcast.com/2025/03/10/vaccine-confident-podcast-series/
Activity