Since the 1890s, pharmacists have played a role in delivering vaccinations to patients, said John Grabenstein, Ph.D., global director of medical affairs for Merck Vaccines.
Grabenstein spoke about this topic at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy on Oct. 2. The seminar, titled “Pharmacists as Vaccinators: When the Phone Rang at Beard Hall,” explored his work and the role of pharmacists as vaccinators today.
Grabenstein earned his pharmacy degree at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh under an ROTC scholarship, then worked at the Military Vaccine Agency. While completing his Ph.D. in immunology at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Grabenstein got a phone call from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) asking him to create a training that would teach pharmacists how to vaccinate patients. His October seminar explained the story behind that program, and the importance of training pharmacists on how to administer vaccinations.
The APhA program allows pharmacists to earn a certificate in immunization delivery. In Washington state, flu vaccination rates increased after the program and pharmacists were able to administer vaccines. Since the program began in 1994, pharmacists have administered about 10 million vaccine doses per year.
Grabenstein has extensive research experience in immunization and health leadership, including over 300 publications and 11 books. Through his research, he found that unvaccinated people were 74% more likely to be vaccinated if their pharmacist prompted them.
Grabenstein also said training pharmacists can help serve unmet needs in the medical community, particularly for older adults, people of color, and people with diabetes.
“It’s all about paying attention when others aren’t,” he said, adding people do not always think to ask patients about their vaccination status despite how important it is.
Grabenstein said vaccines were “10% immunology, 90 percent anthropology.” This means it is important to explain the necessity of vaccines and have strong outreach to patients.
“The science of how these vaccines work is really important,” he said. “But if you can’t get people to roll up their sleeves… you’re not done yet.”