Pharmacists Crucial in Addressing Hepatitis Vaccination Gaps

Due to pharmacists’ significant link to their communities, among many other factors, they are uniquely positioned to help hepatitis A and B vaccine initiatives and improve population-wide uptake. With real-world evidence of pharmacies extending hours and offering free vaccine services, they have shown the ability to make a meaningful difference in hepatitis vaccination rates.

“There's a need for other vaccine providers, such as pharmacists, in this area,” Jeff Goad, PharmD, MPH, told Drug Topics. “We've seen some of the initiatives are more specific to pharmacy services. For example, there's evidence that extending hours, offering walk-in vaccinations, and in states that require protocols, having protocols that are easy to understand and easy to implement, have shown a 30% or greater uptake of vaccinations.”

Health care providers from all backgrounds can play their part in promoting and encouraging the uptake of hepatitis vaccines. However, as a pharmacist himself, Goad believes pharmacists have the simple yet crucial ability to help boost uptake of hepatitis vaccines in areas where rates are lacking.

From staying open late to scheduling vaccine appointments for getting patients simultaneously protected against multiple diseases, the sheer availability of pharmacy services for the general public presents an opportunity to boost vaccine rates where they may be falling short. As seen during other outbreaks like the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists too are capable of managing a hepatitis outbreak.

Read more from our conversation with Jeff Goad, who joined us to discuss hepatitis A and B vaccines during May, which is Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month. Also, stay tuned for our full-length conversation with him, going live on Drug Topics Thursday afternoon.

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