Changes to the federal childhood vaccine schedule have created confusion and variation in practice, placing added responsibility on clinicians and pharmacists to educate patients and ensure evidence-based care.
In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Laura Sparkman, MSN, RN, vice president of patient safety and quality at Relias, discussed the growing challenges physicians face in implementing changes to the childhood immunization schedule. Sparkman highlighted that recent federal updates have disrupted traditional, evidence-based vaccination practices, creating confusion for both clinicians and parents.
“This has been such a massive upheaval of traditional practice that physicians are just not having it.” - Laura Sparkman, MSN, RN
According to Sparkman, pediatricians and other providers who have relied on the CDC and federal guidance as a source of open, science-based recommendations now confront guidance influenced by personal opinion and non-scientific considerations, leading to frustration and pushback.
Sparkman described the potential downstream effects on patient populations, including increased variation in vaccination uptake and the risk that more children may fall through the cracks of preventive care. She also explained that the removal of certain vaccines from the schedule and the introduction of shared decision-making frameworks create additional opportunities for communication breakdowns and inconsistent explanations, placing more responsibility on providers to educate families one-on-one.
For pharmacists, these shifts carry practical implications: they may encounter patients or caregivers seeking clarification on recently changed vaccine schedules, requiring pharmacists to be prepared to support evidence-based discussions and reinforce the guidance their local clinicians are implementing. Sparkman stressed the importance of tracking immunization data, reporting trends, and collaborating closely with healthcare teams to mitigate gaps in vaccine coverage. Her insights underscore the critical role that pharmacy professionals play in maintaining continuity of care amid policy changes and evolving immunization recommendations.
Stay informed on drug updates, treatment guidelines, and pharmacy practice trends—subscribe to Pharmacy Times for weekly clinical insights.
