Pharmacists Can Simplify the Vaccine Schedule

Before autumn approaches, start thinking about respiratory vaccines. Influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines are the top ones to have on your radar. The good news is that patients can receive these respiratory vaccines at the same time.¹ One way pharmacists can play an important role in increasing vaccine uptake is by simplifying scheduling for patients. Pharmacists and technicians can check whether patients need any vaccines when they are picking up their prescriptions from the pharmacy.

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Adult Vaccines

The CDC recommends that patients 75 years and older and individuals aged 60 to 74 years with a health condition that puts them at an increased risk of RSV (eg, asthma or coronary artery disease) receive 1 dose of an RSV vaccine.² Late summer or early fall is a good time to get either Arexvy (GSK), mResvia (Moderna), or Abrysvo (Pfizer) to protect against RSV. Pharmacists can help ensure eligible patients are up to date on their RSV vaccine. If a patient has already received 1 dose, they are all set for the upcoming RSV season.²

Fall is a great time to receive both the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.³ Pharmacists can inquire about eligible patients’ interest in a COVID-19 vaccine at their influenza shot appointment. Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax all have COVID-19 vaccines on the market. Importantly, Novavax received FDA approval in May 2025 with restrictions: It is approved for individuals 65 years and older and patients aged 12 to 64 years with at least 1 health condition that puts them at risk for severe COVID-19.⁴

Patient counseling for influenza vaccines such as Fluzone (Sanofi), Fluzone High-Dose (Sanofi), and Flublok (Sanofi) is crucial to ensure informed decisions and optimal protection. For all influenza vaccines, pharmacists should emphasize the importance of annual vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, ideally in September or October, and continuing as long as influenza viruses are circulating. Patients should be informed that the 2025-2026 influenza vaccines will be trivalent, covering 2 influenza A strains (H1N1 and an updated H3N2) and 1 B/Victoria lineage strain, as the B/Yamagata lineage is no longer circulating. Common adverse effects for all formulations—such as pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; headache; and muscle aches—should be discussed, with the reassurance that these effects are generally mild and temporary. Pharmacists must also inquire about any history of severe allergic reactions to previous influenza vaccines or vaccine components, especially for egg-based vaccines such as Fluzone and Fluzone High-Dose, while noting the Flublok vaccine is an egg-free option.

FluMist (live intranasal influenza vaccine; AstraZeneca) was approved in September 2024 for self- and caregiver administration for individuals aged 2 to 49 years.⁵ This option should be available for patients for the 2025-2026 flu season.⁵ However, keep in mind that because FluMist is a live vaccine, its administration should be separated from other live vaccines by 28 days (ie, 4 weeks).^4,5 The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is another example of a live vaccine, and it is an important one for which patients should be up to date.

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is another important respiratory immunization for eligible patients. Individuals 50 years and older can receive a single dose if they have not already received one.⁶ The PCV vaccine can be administered anytime during the year or with other recommended vaccines such as COVID-19 and influenza.⁶

In an email interview with Pharmacy Times, Costadina Aneziris, PharmD, BCGP, clinical pharmacist and academic detailer at the Retzky College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, Chicago, discussed vaccine advice for the upcoming season. Aneziris frequently educates health care professionals about this topic.

“Respiratory infections can occur simultaneously and have serious consequences, particularly for higher-risk populations [such as] older adults or those with asthma. The [influenza], COVID-19, and RSV vaccines are strongly encouraged for those who are eligible,” Aneziris wrote.

Shingrix (GSK) is a critical vaccine that prevents shingles in adults 50 years and older.⁷ The CDC also recommends Shingrix for immunocompromised patients 19 years and older.⁷ It is a 2-dose series, and patients receive the second dose 2 to 6 months after the first.⁷ Pharmacists can help patients schedule their second dose appointment to ensure they complete the series. Additionally, Shingrix can be administered at the same time as other vaccines.⁷

Pediatric Vaccines

Vaccine laws vary by state regarding pharmacist administration of pediatric immunizations. Pharmacists play an important role in administering and educating families about vaccines. Approximately 49% of pediatric patients received the influenza vaccine as of April 26, 2025.⁸ This percentage is lower than the previous season (53%), which contributed to 250 pediatric deaths during the 2024-2025 influenza season.^8,9 Pharmacists can educate families about getting an annual influenza vaccine, which can be administered at the same time as COVID-19 vaccines and other childhood immunizations.

“With the recent measles outbreaks, it is important to check the MMR vaccination status to ensure protection for the individual and the community,” Aneziris wrote. For instance, if a 13-year-old patient has never received an MMR vaccine, they can receive 2 MMR shots separated by at least 28 days.¹⁰ The tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are also important immunizations to receive at ages 11 or 12 years.^11,12 Patients can conveniently get both vaccines at the same time.

A Tdap booster should be given every 10 years.¹² Because the HPV vaccine is 2 doses separated by 6 to 12 months, pharmacists can schedule a patient’s second appointment with reminders.¹¹ Individuals receiving their first HPV vaccine at 15 years or older will need 3 doses.¹¹

Conclusion

Pharmacists play a vital role in optimizing influenza vaccine uptake and effectiveness. By providing thorough and patient-centered counseling, tailored to individual needs and current recommendations, pharmacists empower patients to make informed decisions about their influenza vaccination.

REFERENCES

1. Getting a flu vaccine and other recommended vaccines at the same time. CDC. September 17, 2024. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/coadministration.html

2. RSV vaccine guidance for older adults. CDC. August 30, 2024. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/vaccineclinicalguidance/older-adults.html

3. Seasonal influenza vaccine dosage & administration. CDC. October 16, 2024. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/hcp/vax-summary/vaccine-dosage-admin.html

4. US FDA approves BLA for Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine. News release. Novavax. May 19, 2025. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-fda-approves-bla-fornovavaxs-covid-19-vaccine-302458535.html

5. FDA approves nasal spray influenza vaccine for self- or caregiver-administration. News release. FDA. September 20, 2024. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-nasal-spray-influenza-vaccine-self-or-caregiver-administration

6. Kobayashi M, Leidner AJ, Gierke R, et al. Expanded recommendations for use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines among adults aged ≥50 years: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices – UnitedStates, 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2025;74(1):1-8.doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7401a1

7. Shingles vaccination. CDC. July 19, 2024. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/vaccines/index.html

8. Weekly flu vaccination dashboard. CDC. May 7, 2025. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/fluvaxview/dashboard/index.html

9. Weekly US influenza surveillance report: key updates for week 19, ending May 10, 2025. CDC. May 16, 2025. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2025-week-19.html

10. Measles vaccination. CDC. January 17, 2025. Accessed May 19, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html

11. HPV vaccination. CDC. August 20, 2024. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccines/index.html

12. Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine VIS. CDC. February 28, 2025. Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/current-vis/tdap.html