From Pharmacy Counters to Classrooms: Building Confidence in Back-to-School Vaccinations

Ensuring students are protected by essential vaccinations is a public health priority as summer fades and schools open their doors for the next generation of students. Vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; meningococcal; human papillomavirus, and the annual influenza shot are critical for preventing the spread of serious infectious diseases in school settings. Despite clear clinical guidance and school entry requirements, vaccine hesitancy among parents remains a persistent challenge.

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS

Immunizations against diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and whooping cough are not only required for school attendance in most states but are also critical to preventing outbreaks in classrooms and communities.¹ Yet recent data show troubling declines in childhood vaccination rates, raising concerns about potential public health risks when students return to crowded school settings.

According to the CDC, national kindergarten vaccination coverage dropped to 93% in the 2023-2024 school year, down from prepandemic levels of approximately 95%.² Although that gap may seem small, public health experts warn it leaves too many children vulnerable to preventable illnesses, especially in communities where coverage rates are even lower. Several states, including Idaho, Arizona, and Wisconsin, reported particularly sharp declines, with exemption rates for school-required vaccines reaching record highs.²

Experts say parental vaccine hesitancy is a key driver of these trends. Some parents cite concerns about vaccine safety, fueled by misinformation circulating online and on social media. Others point to logistical barriers, such as difficulty securing pediatric appointments or confusion over which vaccines are required for school.³

In response, health departments and school districts are stepping up outreach efforts. Many offer free vaccination clinics and work with local pediatricians to educate parents about the importance of timely immunization. Officials stress that maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to keeping children safe, not just from COVID-19 but from long-standing threats like measles, which is seeing a resurgence in the US.⁴

PHARMACIES’ ROLE

With their broad community reach and clinical capabilities, pharmacies play an increasingly vital role in addressing this challenge. Often serving as the most accessible health care destination, pharmacies offer convenient opportunities for families to receive vaccinations and engage in personalized counseling.

Public health efforts and pharmacy services align closely in this space. Although public health focuses on disease prevention at the population level, pharmacists offer accessibility and personalized care. Collaborative programs between public health departments, school districts, and pharmacy networks have helped streamline access to back-to-school vaccines. Community-based clinics and school-centered vaccine events supported by pharmacy teams have contributed to increases in immunization coverage and reduced barriers for families with limited access to traditional health care providers.⁵ Additionally, pharmacist-led education has been shown to build trust, counter misinformation, and improve vaccine confidence across diverse populations.⁶

Education remains a cornerstone of these initiatives. Counseling sessions led by pharmacists and health care professionals provide parents with clear, evidence-based information about vaccine safety, effectiveness, and necessity. Addressing vaccine hesitancy is not just about meeting school requirements.

Pharmacists can emphasize the importance of community protection against illnesses that disrupt education and threaten the health of children and other individuals they encounter throughout the school year.

As the school year approaches, encourage parents of school-aged children to connect with their neighborhood pharmacists to ensure their children are up to date on all recommended vaccines. The conversations grounded in pharmacy expertise and public health principles support healthier classrooms, stronger communities, and a more confident return to learning.

REFERENCES

1. Vaccine-specific requirements. Immunize.org.Updated July 3, 2025. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.immunize.org/official-guidance/state-policies/requirements/

2. Vaccine coverage and exemptions among kindergarteners. CDC. October 2, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html

3. McKee C, Bohannon K. Exploring the reasons behind parental refusal of vaccines. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther.2016;21(2):104-109. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-21.2.104

4. Community-based outreach key to national vaccination program. CDC. August 2, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccine-equity/php/partnerspotlights/nmqf.html

5. Girotto JE, Klein KC, Cober MP, et al. Pharmacists as partners in pediatric immunizations: a white paper from the Pediatric Pharmacy Association. J Pediatr PharmacolTher. 2024;29(6):660-666. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-29.6.660

6. Shen AK, Tan ASL. Trust, influence, and community: why pharmacists and pharmacies are central for addressing vaccine hesitancy. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2022;62(1):305-308. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2021.10.001