Enhancing Pneumococcal Vaccine Delivery in Pharmacy Practice: Tools and Techniques to Support Patient Safety and Complete Administration

Program Description

Pneumococcal disease is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and can range from mild ear infections to life‑threatening pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. It remains a major public health burden, especially among young children, adults older than 65 years, and individuals with chronic conditions. Gaps in pneumococcal disease awareness and the complexities of several conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines and their respective dosing intervals, create persistent challenges in achieving optimal coverage. This session will equip community and health‑system pharmacists with up‑to‑date ACIP/CDC guidance, with a detailed review of recent updates to adult and pediatric pneumococcal schedules. Evidence for approved vaccine formulations as well as investigational products will be reviewed. The discussion will encompass practical strategies for identifying patients at high risk of pneumococcal disease and complications, providing counseling on vaccine safety, managing adverse effect concerns, and integrating vaccination into routine pharmacy workflows. Expert faculty will guide attendees through risk factor identification, the revised immunization algorithms, and patient‑centered interventions, supporting pharmacists across practice settings in their roles to close treatment gaps, improve adherence and access to vaccines, and reduce the burden of pneumococcal disease.

Target audience: Community Pharmacists, Health‑System Pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: April 10, 2026
Expiration date: April 10, 2027
Learner level: Intermediate
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Identify persons with risk factors contributing to higher incidence of pneumococcal disease or increased risk for complications
• Explain pneumococcal vaccine immunization schedules and indications for adults and pediatrics based on the clinical evidence and professional society guidelines
• Employ patient-centered interventions for pneumococcal disease prevention, focusing on vaccine education, delivery, and administration protocols

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-26-050-H06-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 10, 2027.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Faculty

Lauren B. Angelo, PharmD, MBA has the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose: Moderna, Seqirus

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Faculty

Rupal Mansukhani, PharmD, CTTS, FAPhA

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Adam C Welch, PharmD, MBA, FAPhA; Katie Naspo; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta

Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer

Continuing professional education activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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