Can pharmacists improve childhood vaccination rates without disrupting well-child visits? According to CHOICE PhD student Dr. Shiven Bhardwaj and Dr. Jennifer Bacci – endowed associate professor in Innovative Pharmacy Practice – the latest research looks promising.
In collaboration with colleagues at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Bhardwaj and Bacci co-authored a study that addresses a common concern:
Would allowing pharmacists to vaccinate children result in more delayed or missed well-child visits?
The study found that commercially insured children who received vaccinations at a pharmacy were just as likely – if not more likely – to attend their well-child visits on time.
While pharmacists in Washington State have been vaccinating children for over 40 years, many states still prohibit them from doing so.
The research from Bhardwaj and Bacci provides fundamental evidence to support the expansion of pharmacy-based immunization services, reinforcing the role of pharmacists as key healthcare providers in ensuring timely and equitable access to pediatric care. By breaking down barriers to vaccination, Bacci, Bhardwaj and their colleagues are paving the way for more accessible, innovative, community-driven solutions to transform pharmacy practice.