Every year in the United States between 5%-20% of the population contracts influenza, leading to more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths. In 2004, it was estimated that the cost to the United States economy was $20 billion. As the most accessible health care professional in virtually every community in the Untied States, the community pharmacist is the ideally positioned to address this public health need by offering adult vaccinations and immunizations in the pharmacy and other community settings. Through a variety of practice designs, including participation with a visiting nurse, in-store clinics for vaccination/immunization or collaborative practice agreements, the community pharmacist combines accessibility with an in-depth knowledge of patients, their health care and the local community. A small, but growing number of community pharmacies have established successful niches in immunization, creating a template of preparation, marketing, operation and follow-up. This education program will give the community pharmacist a set of take-home tools to launch a successful influenza immunization and vaccination niche.
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