Q&A: The Pharmacist’s Role in Offering Pneumococcal Vaccination, Education

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, community pharmacists have played a key role in keeping immunization rates optimal for many respiratory diseases like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and more. However, pharmacists’ knowledge of pneumococcal vaccines, and their constantly updating guidelines, makes the pharmacy a premier destination for receiving these vaccines among children, teens, and adults alike.

“They're the most easily accessible health care professionals, so you can really go up to them,” Megan Smith, PharmD, clinical pharmacist and health coach with Food City, told Drug Topics. “You trust your pharmacist [with] that accurate medical information and to make the most correct decision for yourself.”

With serotype distribution for pneumococcal diseases constantly changing, many patients across the country rely on pharmacists’ expertise in educating on these novel and often-changing bacterial diseases. Learn from a practicing pharmacist and educator on the importance of pneumococcal vaccination as well as the pharmacist’s increasing role within this space.

READ MORE: The Importance of Pneumococcal Vaccines Compared with Other Respiratory Immunizations

Drug Topics: How have pharmacists recently stepped in regarding pneumococcal vaccine administration?

Megan Smith: Pharmacists are kind of the center of a lot of the vaccinations in the country. We obviously have done so many flu and COVID vaccines over the past years and really increased that capacity, but the pneumococcal vaccine’s another one that we're seeing more and more every day. Most pharmacies offer walk-in appointments, so you don't even need an appointment for it. You just walk up while you're in the store already. It's just really convenient.

They're also the most easily accessible health care professionals, so you can really go up to them. You trust your pharmacist [with] that accurate medical information and to make the most correct decision for yourself. Also, [pharmacists] can coordinate with your primary care doctor to make sure they have correct records of your vaccination after we give it. We've been giving a lot of effort to just boost adult vaccination rates.

Drug Topics: Are there concerns among pharmacists regarding the constant development of new and novel pneumococcal vaccines? If so, how do pharmacists typically approach educating patients when a new pneumococcal vaccine hits the market?

Megan Smith: New vaccines can cause, obviously, some confusion at first for everybody, especially when the recommendations are changing. What we focus on, really, is what the patients want to know, which is: how it's going to protect them, if it's recommended for them, and whether they need it now.

I think the important thing is to lean on the clear CDC guidance and help just keep the conversation straightforward, patient-friendly, so they understand what you're saying. Help them feel comfortable with the decision that they're making.

Drug Topics: Do you have any last-minute advice about pneumococcal vaccines for patients or pharmacists as we head deeper into this respiratory virus season?

Megan Smith: I think the most important thing is, if you're in doubt, whether you are eligible for it or not, go talk to your pharmacist about it. They're there to answer any questions you have and help you feel at ease and make the right decision for you. Don't be afraid to ask; it could protect your life.

READ MORE: Pneumococcal Resource Center

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