Community Pharmacists Can Advance Vaccination in Cancer Care

Patients undergoing cancer treatment are particularly susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases, such as pneumococcal disease and influenza, and the severe consequences these infections can cause, ranging from hospitalization to death. This elevated risk stems from the immunosuppression caused by chemotherapy and other cancer therapies.¹

Although national and international guidelines emphasize the importance of immunization for this population, vaccination rates remain consistently low. Contributing factors include complex treatment schedules, vaccine safety and efficacy concerns in immunocompromised individuals, and limited access to convenient vaccination services. Another key barrier is the lack of clarity around which health care professionals are responsible for ensuring timely vaccinations within oncology settings. As the health care community evolves post-COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists have developed more comprehensive roles in immunization services that could help bridge the gap many patients experience when seeking a vaccination.¹

To explore this gap, researchers published a qualitative study in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy examining health care professionals’ perspectives on the pharmacist’s role in delivering vaccinations to patients with cancer. Drawing on role theory, the researchers interviewed physicians, nurses, and pharmacists from oncology and hematology units to identify obstacles and opportunities for pharmacist-led immunization services.¹

Pharmacists were consistently recognized as knowledgeable and clinically capable of administering vaccines. However, the absence of clearly defined responsibilities in oncology care has led to missed immunization opportunities. Participants endorsed a more prominent role for pharmacists, particularly in outpatient settings, where they can educate patients, address vaccine hesitancy, and ensure accurate documentation. Interprofessional communication was highlighted as essential for supporting care coordination and clarifying team roles.¹

Beyond the oncology clinic, community pharmacists play a critical role in expanding vaccination access for patients with cancer. Often serving as the most accessible health care professionals, they can provide convenient walk-in or appointment-based vaccination services near where patients live, reducing travel burdens during intensive treatment schedules. Community pharmacists can also identify vaccination needs during routine prescription pickups, offer evidence-based counseling to address concerns about safety and efficacy, and coordinate with oncology teams to ensure records are updated. By bridging the gap between specialized cancer care and everyday health care touchpoints, community pharmacists can help ensure timely immunizations and reduce preventable infections in this vulnerable population.

In the published study, although pharmacists expressed readiness to assume these responsibilities, they emphasized that workload pressures remain a major barrier to implementation. Across interviews, there were consistent calls for additional staffing, streamlined workflows, and institutional support. Recommended strategies included involving key stakeholders in program development, investing in pharmacist resources, and offering incentives to sustain expanded vaccination efforts.¹

These results correspond with other research initiatives that have sought to elucidate barriers to pharmacists’ ability to ensure effective vaccination strategies. One study, which focused specifically on pneumococcal vaccination, found that pharmacists often indicated they had limited knowledge about vaccination guidelines and reported barriers, including financial complications, a lack of resources, and patient-related factors, that make it harder to vaccinate. These observations were made despite the pharmacists in that study expressing confidence in their ability to provide vaccinations and implement new vaccination services.^1,2

Ensuring vaccinators are properly educated on effective strategies and methods to increase vaccination uptake is crucial. As more patients with cancer are living longer and becoming more susceptible to vaccine-preventable respiratory illnesses, providing adequate, accessible immunization services remains essential. Given their thorough knowledge of specific patients and their conditions, pharmacists can evaluate a patient’s feasibility for a vaccination and assist them in its scheduling.

Ultimately, these study findings underscore a timely opportunity to integrate pharmacists more fully into oncology care. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a clear example of how pharmacists could quickly and effectively integrate into the vaccination process, providing patients with a trusted source for their immunization concerns. With adequate support and interdisciplinary collaboration, pharmacists are well-positioned to close vaccination gaps, enhance patient education, and improve the overall quality of care for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.¹

REFERENCES

1. Johnstone K, Cooper J, Smithson J, Glass B. Perspectives of healthcare professionals on the pharmacist’s role in delivering vaccinations for patients with cancer: a qualitative study using role theory. Int J Clin Pharm. Published online June 16, 2025. doi:10.1007/s11096-025-01945-9

2. Davies A, Schreiber D, Carey C, et al. Community pharmacists’ pneumococcal vaccine knowledge and perceived barriers to vaccination. Vaccine. 2025;53:126930. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.126930