The true reward
MCPHS University –Boston APhA–ASP Chapter members lead a handwashing demonstration for kindergarten and first graders at a local grammar school.
After speaking with college students about flu vaccine benefits, a student said to me, “Isn’t the flu shot only 60% effective this year, so there’s no point in getting one?” I replied, “Well, not getting vaccinated provides 0% protection against the flu, but getting one offers at least a 60% chance.” He paused, “So I can get my flu shot here?” Those words were rewarding to hear.
Who really benefits in this scenario? It may sound like I do, but it is the patient—getting immunized protects himself and those around him. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality-sponsored Health Care Cost & Utilization Project, an average of 4- to 5-day hospitalizations could have been prevented by simply getting the flu shot.
So why doesn’t everyone get one? Lack of understanding of vaccine benefits and misinformation of its harmful effects appear to be the main reasons many do not get immunized.
Increasing awareness
Through the MCPHS University–Boston APhA–ASP Chapter’s Operation Immunization projects, we noticed that most patients assumed that the flu vaccine could give them the flu. Therefore, we constantly emphasized that the flu vaccine contains an inactivated or weakened virus and cannot cause illness. Vaccines allow humans to create antibodies that attack a potent virus, if infected in the future. Getting immunized early provides advanced protection against infectious pathogens.
You can educate patients on this information now and build a better foundation of education for yourself on the road to becoming a health professional.
To enhance the community’s knowledge on the flu vaccine, our chapter implemented a Boosting You to Beat the Flu campaign, which successfully increased immunization awareness and vaccination numbers. The campaign was designed to educate all age groups on vaccine-preventable diseases and offer non-pharmacological counseling. Two of our most effective events were a Flu Myth and Fact Game and a Say Boo! to the Flu Hand-Washing Demo.
At a local college and Walgreens, our flu vaccine game created a fun environment that made patients feel comfortable in asking questions. This allowed us to better understand where vaccine misunderstandings stemmed from and provide patients with accurate information. Observing patients enhance their knowledge on the flu vaccine made spending time with them worthwhile.
During our hand-washing demo, kindergarten and first grade students were exposed to “glitter germs” that enabled them to better visualize how easily germs can be transferred to different surfaces. Demonstrating the glitter transfer process emphasized the value in washing your hands to ensure that “glitter” does not transfer to where it does not belong.
As this campaign for flu season and beyond continues, our new goals include educating individuals with language barriers and participating in city-wide events.
Tips for success
Implementing effective events was possible through using multiple connections, setting goals to educate different age groups, and passion.
Here’s some tips for success.
- Read the Reporting Guidelines before planning. Knowing which topics to focus on allows you to plan attainable goals.
- Contact organizations at least 3 months in advance to partner with for an event. Aim for large organizations like hospitals or museums—opportunities will stem from there.
- Use your connections: APhA–ASP Chapter Advisors, professors, pharmacists you work with, peers, etc. Our APhA–ASP Chapter Advisor connected us with a pharmaceutical company who generously offered resources for our campaign.
- Use Pinterest for event ideas. Creative touches added to a patient’s experience allows them to remember the information you shared.
- At events, ask open-ended questions: For example, “What do you know about the shingles vaccine?” This starts conversations quickly. Remember, be bold and passionate—#beginyourlegacy.
Liesl De Mesa Reyes is a third-year PharmD candidate at MCPHS University–Boston.