On World Immunization Week, public health advocates urge greater vaccine access at pharmacies

Vaccines are safe and effective. Yet, an“unacceptably low” number of Americans receive their vaccinations, forgoing one of the most efficient forms of preventative care in the world. Part of that is due to false notions about vaccines’ efficacy and safety that stem from political fear-mongering and conspiracy theories. But another barrier to better vaccination rates is lack of access — and on World Immunization Week (April 24-30), some public health advocates are urging lawmakers to break it down. Pharmacy Choice and Action Now (PCAN) is launching a national campaign to convince state lawmakers to loosen regulations on pharmacists providing vaccinations. Currently, appropriately-trained pharmacists can administer shots — but only a select few of them. In a press release, PCAN explained that “all 50 states allow trained pharmacists to administer vaccinations — all qualified state pharmacists can administer the influenza vaccine and 44 states allow qualified pharmacists to administer the shingles vaccine...