The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will now authorize pharmacists to administer routine childhood vaccines, similar to the way the flu shot is offered each year. The goal is to avoid a spike in preventable diseases like measles, polio, and rubella.
Benefits of the HHS Plan
There are clear benefits to the plan, says Nancy Lyons, BSPharm, MBA, CDE, chief pharmacist for Health Mart. “The government’s decision to use an available resource—pharmacists and pharmacy interns—to lend a hand and help solve a serious national health problem is simple.” Other benefits Lyons outlines include the following:
Drawbacks of the HHS Plan
Despite this, there are many who vehemently oppose such a plan, including, notably, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The organization’s main concerns are centered around what is lost when pediatrician appointments are skipped. They argue that’s likely to happen if vaccinations are easily obtained at a local pharmacy.
AAP Opposition
The AAP stresses the importance of yearly pediatrician visits for children under 18, stating, “In-person visits should occur whenever possible and are necessary for vital services like comprehensive physical exams; laboratory testing; hearing, vision and oral health screenings; fluoride varnish and immunizations.” Joe Sellers, MD, FAAP, FACP, president-elect of the Medical Society of the State of New York, says, “This is a completely unnecessary move on the part of Health and Human Services and will cause further chaos in getting children properly immunized. Pediatricians’ offices are safe places to receive vaccinations, and most importantly, parents and children already have an established relationship with their pediatrician." Another potential ramification of moving childhood vaccinations outside of the umbrella of routine pediatric care centers around recordkeeping. Anytime a child receives a vaccine at their pediatrician’s office, the vaccine registry is updated, which then becomes part of a child’s health history (it’s what’s presented to schools that require up-to-date vaccine records prior to admission, for example). But if a child gets some vaccinations at a pharmacy and others at their pediatrician’s office, there isn’t a system currently in place to ensure there’s no duplication of effort or worse, vaccines that are missed altogether. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
