by Kathryn Sill, Public Relations Writer
The Cedarville University School of Pharmacy will host an immunization training event for local pharmacists. The training will take place on Sept. 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in room 106 of the Health Sciences Center on Cedarville’s campus.
The training will allow pharmacists to become licensed immunizers in all 50 states through the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). As part of the certification, attendees can also receive basic life support (BSL) training if this is requested in advance.
This training follows recent legislation, Ohio H.B. 394, which was passed in March. This bill allows pharmacists to immunize anyone 12 years and older for all vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The legislation also allows licensed-immunizer pharmacists to provide vaccines to anyone ages 7-12 if the pharmacist has a prescription from the child’s physician.
“The reason this legislation was passed is because immunization rates are currently low,” Phillip Thornton, R.Ph.,Ph.D., vice chair and associate professor of pharmacy practice said. “Immunization rates for children are very high for most vaccines until age 5, because it is required by schools, but after that the immunization rates decline.”
Thornton will be teaching the training with Thad Franz, R.Ph., Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice and director of experiential programs, both of whom are certified immunizers through APhA and faculty trainers for the program.
“Pharmacists have access to patients and their vaccination needs, and they have become the leading provider for many vaccines, such as the shingles vaccine, so we want to make sure pharmacists are well-educated on how to administer vaccines,” Thornton said.
The training will count for 20 hours of continuing education, which will provide a third of what is needed every three years for practicing pharmacists in Ohio. The training program is open to all pharmacists, and registration for the program is $350. Preceptors of Cedarville University School of Pharmacy students will receive a discounted fee of $250.
The training will allow pharmacists to become licensed immunizers in all 50 states through the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). As part of the certification, attendees can also receive basic life support (BSL) training if this is requested in advance.
This training follows recent legislation, Ohio H.B. 394, which was passed in March. This bill allows pharmacists to immunize anyone 12 years and older for all vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The legislation also allows licensed-immunizer pharmacists to provide vaccines to anyone ages 7-12 if the pharmacist has a prescription from the child’s physician.
“The reason this legislation was passed is because immunization rates are currently low,” Phillip Thornton, R.Ph.,Ph.D., vice chair and associate professor of pharmacy practice said. “Immunization rates for children are very high for most vaccines until age 5, because it is required by schools, but after that the immunization rates decline.”
Thornton will be teaching the training with Thad Franz, R.Ph., Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice and director of experiential programs, both of whom are certified immunizers through APhA and faculty trainers for the program.
“Pharmacists have access to patients and their vaccination needs, and they have become the leading provider for many vaccines, such as the shingles vaccine, so we want to make sure pharmacists are well-educated on how to administer vaccines,” Thornton said.
The training will count for 20 hours of continuing education, which will provide a third of what is needed every three years for practicing pharmacists in Ohio. The training program is open to all pharmacists, and registration for the program is $350. Preceptors of Cedarville University School of Pharmacy students will receive a discounted fee of $250.
The deadline to register for the event is September 29, and participants can register online by clicking HERE.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,711 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings