Barriers and solutions to implementing pediatric-focused immunization training at United States schools and colleges of pharmacy.

INTRODUCTION

Most schools and colleges of pharmacy (SCOP) utilize the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery Program, which mainly focuses on adult immunization techniques. Our previous study highlighted that most respondents from SCOP do not currently offer additional specific pediatric-focused immunization training (PFIT) to their students, with the top four reported barriers as space in the curriculum, cost to SCOP, facilitator comfort, and instructor workload.

PERSPECTIVE: To better equip future pharmacy professionals to prepare for their role as "partners in pediatric immunizations," as recommended by the Pediatric Pharmacy Association, we believe PFIT should be incorporated into the PharmD curriculum.

IMPLICATIONS: Two of the actionable, scalable solutions that would address multiple identified barriers and allow for pharmacy students to receive PFIT are providers of immunization training programs combining adult and pediatric content into one course, and SCOP offering separate adult and PFIT programs at the same time within the curriculum.