Operation Immunization: A Case Study

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Although healthcare is a deeply integrated part of our society, there are still a handful communities that are considered medically underserved. A big part of this is attributed to the physician shortage and how many individuals do not have the necessary means to even travel to a doctor’s office. Pharmacists, being one of the most accessible yet underused healthcare practitioners, can help fill this gap. Our role on the healthcare team is not limited to counting pills, filling bottles, and answering phone calls. As patient-oriented healthcare providers, our primary responsibility is to ensure that the drugs dispensed to our patients are safe, affordable, effective, and tailored to their specific needs.

Moreover, pharmacists play a vital role
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Students who participate in the events ran by Operation Immunization are able to practice their communication skills and vaccination techniques amongst other abilities. Our duty to our patients is to be able to deliver pertinent health information in a simple, easily digestible fashion that facilitates understanding and learning. By doing so, we empower our patients to make the decision that best fits their …show more content…
It does not matter which field of pharmacy you are in because all pharmacists can play a role in immunization advocacy. Those who work in a retail setting can screen for geriatric patients who may be eligible for the pneumococcal vaccine. Hospital pharmacists can recommend adding the pneumococcal vaccine to the discharge medication list for someone who was originally admitted for acute bacterial meningitis. Ambulatory care clinics, especially those with a high emphasis on diabetes education, provide treatment for a large number of patients at high risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases and have a particular obligation to employ immunization screening and ensure appropriate vaccine