Immunization

Despite their remarkable effectiveness, influenza vaccines have faced their share of challenges over the years.

Rupal Mansukhani, PharmD, clinical assistant professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, talks about how pharmacists can play a bigger role in providing immunizations.

Rupal Mansukhani, PharmD, clinical assistant professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, talks about roadblocks to increasing immunization rates.

School vaccination requirements have traditionally helped boost immunization rates, but in most states, parents may seek exemptions for religious, medical, or philosophical reasons.

Only 2 US states require the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for adolescents.

The FDA has approved the Flublok influenza vaccine formulation for the 2015-2016 flu season.

Pennsylvania pharmacists can provide flu shots to children under a new law signed by Governor Tom Wolf.

With the FDA's approval of Gardasil 9, this vaccine will now be available as a preventive measure against up to 90% of genital, anal, vulvular, and vaginal cancers, thereby offering additional protection for pediatric patients from the human papillomavirus.

Young women are up to 10 times more likely to complete the human papillomavirus vaccine series when their health care providers are alerted electronically that patients are due for a shot.

What should these pharmacists do?

Pharmacists can play an important role in improving immunization rates.

While many parents remain concerned that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine could cause their children to develop autism, a study has reaffirmed there is no link between the vaccine's use and increased autism risk.

When the puzzle with a missing piece became the symbol for autism, a more perfect representation could not have been made.

California may soon become the third state to disallow vaccination exemptions based on personal or religious beliefs.

GlaxoSmithKline has voluntarily recalled all remaining FluLaval Quadrivalent Thimerosal-Free prefilled flu vaccine syringes.

Even though kids with neurological disorders are at high risk for flu-related complications, they are no more likely to receive annual flu vaccination than healthy children.

Changes to immunization schedules, a review of this season's flu shot, and potential vaccines in the pipeline were broached at the American Pharmacist Association's Annual Meeting and Exposition session on immunizations.

The FDA today approved a vaccine for active immunization against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and poliomyelitis for children aged 4 to 6 years.

Pharmacists can serve as an important resource for patients traveling abroad.

Prefilled syringe use offers advantages that can help pharmacists improve quality of care.

On the heels of a 4-day mass vaccination clinic on campus to prevent the spread of meningococcemia, a fifth student at the University of Oregon was diagnosed with the bacterial precursor to meningitis.

Without allocating more funds toward human papillomavirus vaccinations, there may be better public health results if funds were devoted to vaccinating boys as well as girls.

In light of an ongoing influx of new and novel vaccines, an ever-increasing array of combination vaccines, special precautions associated with certain vaccines, and frequently changing immunization recommendations, it is crucial that pharmacies and other practice sites examine their processes and implement risk-reduction strategies.

Quality metrics for desired patient outcomes guide the collaborative efforts of the health care team.

The new Gardasil vaccine protects against 9 different strains of the virus.