SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
RURAL HEALTH NETWORK
IMMUNIZATIONS REFRESHER INFORMATION
THESE LINKS DO NOT CERTIFY YOU FOR
IMMUNIZATION IN OKLAHOMA;
In order for our rural pharmacies to stay competitive and to be profitable with tightening dispensing
reimbursements, these pharmacies must expand on the levels of services they provide. Some rural
pharmacies have not taken advantage of immunization practices which is more profitable than some
dispensing. For example, the acquisition cost of a single dose of flu vaccine costs an average of
$12.00. The pharmacy can be reimbursed by a 3rd party from $24.00 to $27.00. That’s not bad for 5
minutes of work. A pharmacy can make a $30.00 profit on Zostavax. I’d like to see all of our rural
pharmacists as immunizers because of the opportunity for you to capitalize and position yourself as
pharmacists into that revenue stream. This can open the gateway for more services to be offered in the
future. I believe this can be one more step toward helping raise the rural community health level by
immunizing and raise patient awareness, that we are there to serve them.
You being a Rural Health Specialist in your community, I believe immunizations can help make
you the rural center for health care.
A couple of suggestions:

I would consider pre-booking flu vaccines with schools/ banks/ large companies in your
area (some companies will pay for the employees vaccine) ( I have seen this work very
well and profitable)

I would consider looking at the children’s vaccination schedule and possibly setting up a
routine plan for children in your community. Records for each child and seeing that they
stay on schedule. (It would get them back into the pharmacy and keep them consistent).
GETTING STARTED
 You must participate in a certified program
 Have a current CPR certification
 SBOP application
o
http://www.ok.gov/OSBP/documents/immunize%20app.pdf
o
http://pharmacyfoundation.org/pdf/ImmunizationProtocolTe
mplate.pdf
 Protocol
 Standing orders
o http://www.immunize.org/standing-orders/
 Checklist for safe vaccine handling & storage
o www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3035chk.pdf
 Other Task


http://www.immunize.org/guide/aovguide_all.pdf
o Obtain support and cooperation from clinic staff
o Seek out community needs ( who needs immunizations)
o Plan workflow and workspace
o Purchase vaccine storage equipment
o Purchase vaccine administration supplies
o Purchase emergency response supplies
o Arrange for staff training
o Organize other vaccination paperwork and
o reference materials
o Create standing orders documents
o Order vaccines — yes, do this last!
Documenting and related task
o http://www.immunize.org/handouts/document-vaccines.asp
o Record federally required information about your
patient’s vaccinations in a permanent record or log
- Follow CDC guidelines for giving current VISs
 Billing
o http://www.immunize.org/clinic/coding-billing.asp
It's federal law! You must give your patients current
VISs
Everything you need to know about VISs [#P2027]
Medical management of vaccine reactions in adult patients
Table describes procedures to follow if various reactions occur in adult patients, includes supply list
[#P3082]
Medical management of vaccine reactions in children and teens
Table describes procedures to follow if various reactions occur in children and teens, includes supply list
[#P3082A]
Skills checklist for immunization
The skills checklist is a self-assessment tool for health care staff [#P7010]
Suggestions to improve your immunization services
For use in both pediatric and adult health settings [#P2045]
NOTE: THESE LINKS DO NOT CERTIFY YOU FOR IMMUNIZATION IN OKLAHOMA; they are for
REFRESHER PURPOSES ONLY.
These are from the CDC Centers for Disease Control:
It is a very good resource for staying current and refresher.
The second link takes you directly the immunization refresher training.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/courses.htm#shots
FACTS SHEETS: (pdf.) DOSE/ ROUTE / SITE / NEEDLE SIZE
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3085.pdf
SCREENING QUESTIONAIRES:
http://www.immunize.org/handouts/screening-vaccines.asp
HANDOUTS:
http://www.immunize.org/handouts/administering-vaccines.asp
Description:
This web-based course is an interactive, self-study program consisting of a series
of modules covering all aspects of immunization. The modules provide basic
vaccine content, links to resource materials, a comprehensive glossary, and selftests to assess learning.
Audience:
Practicing nurses and nursing students, medical assistants, pharmacists, and other
health professionals who provide immunizations. The course is designed for
immunization providers who are new to immunization or for those who need a
refresher.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/courses.htm#shots
ADMINSTRATION TECHNIQUES:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac-admin/default.htm
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2024.pdf
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020a.pdf
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020.pdf
http://www.pharmacist.com/vaccine-administration-techniques (video)
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3072.pdf
ADVERSE REACTIONS: (HOW TO HANDLE)
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3082.pdf
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3082a.pdf
RECOMMENDATIONS & GUIDELINES:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/default.htm
STORAGE & HANDLING:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/storage/default.htm