Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1. Define the goals of the Operation Immunization Program.
2. Identify methods to increase immunization awareness.
3. Describe how pharmacists can assist in implementing immunization programs and educating about vaccine-preventable diseases.


Background:
Pharmacists and student pharmacists have an important role in promoting, educating, and administering immunizations to the public. Through their accessibility, extensive knowledge of medications and patient-specific risk factors, they are able to identify and serve patients in need of immunization.

Setting:
Various pharmacies, health clinics, health fairs, schools, and a variety of other locations throughout the country.

Population:
People at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases.

Project Description:
Operation Immunization is a nation wide, student-run campaign that promotes and educates about immunizations. The goal of Operation Immunization is to increase community awareness of immunization information, advise patients where they can obtain the proper immunizations, promote immunization services in pharmacies, provide immunizations, and increase the public's awareness of the role pharmacists and student pharmacists play in public health.

Results/Lessons Learned:
Throughout the country, 3,543 student pharmacists from 66 schools of pharmacy participated in 823 promotional and educational events, and immunized 117,405 patients.

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) recognized the University of Tennessee APhA-ASP Chapter (UT) as the 2005 national winning program. UT educated nearly 1.5 million people through various mediums such as newspaper, television, and the internet, and immunized over 10,600 patients. UT also had 130 students, pharmacy residents, and pharmacists successfully complete APhA's Immunization Certification Course.

The activities implemented in this program can be used by health care professionals as a model for strategies on immunization promotion, education, and implementation. By educating the public about immunizations and by promoting their use, pharmacists and other health professionals can make a difference in the fight against the increasing incidence, morbidity, and mortality of vaccine preventable diseases.