Engaging Communities to Strengthen Vaccine Confidence | Building Vaccine Confidence with APhA

Objective: Discuss community-level strategies to engage individuals and special populations. ·              Topics Covered: o   Community outreach programs driven by pharmacists. ·              Unique to pharmacists and the pharmacy team is their ability to get outside of their 4 walls and bring vaccines and other healthcare services to where people are o   Central to many of these programs is support from government agencies and other payers – the availability of these resources in the future is unclear at this time. o   Utilization of Community Health Workers (CPESN/NCPA Health Care Worker / Technician program) §  There are pilots using codes that could be billed for this service.  Question is will money continue to be available §  Build on trust the public has with pharmacy team members – think about what other screening / preventive services you can incorporate with these trained individuals. - they can be ambassadors for your practice o   Addressing cultural and socioeconomic barriers to vaccine confidence. Connect with trusted community leaders Understand concerns from the populations your serve and who the influencers are with the community and family units Don’t preach – provide credible information and let them process it o   Case studies of innovative engagement efforts, including partnerships with local organizations and faith-based groups. Offer to do talks Have discussion with organization leader and provide them with the facts they can use to reinforce messages o   How pharmacies can leverage their accessibility to serve as vaccination champions. Luke can talk about access; distance to pharmacies; pharmacy deserts Community health clinics, events, politicians events, etc. ·              Featured Guests: Brigid Groves, PharmD, MS  Mitch Rothholz, RPh, MBA, FAPhA Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, BCACP, FAPhA  ·              Key Takeaway: Collaboration with communities    Listen to all 3-parts of this series:  https://pharmacypodcast.com/2025/03/10/vaccine-confident-podcast-series/