Skip Navigation

Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

Sign up for MCHalert eNewsletter

Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Childhood Vaccination with MMR, Flu, and HPV.

MCHbest Logo

Strategy. Pharmacies and Retail Clinics

Approach. Collaborate with pharmacies and retail clinics to provide education and support around childhood vaccinations.

Return to main MCHbest page >>

Overview. Collaborating with pharmacies and retail clinics involves establishing partnerships between public health agencies and these readily available healthcare settings to expand access to childhood vaccination education and support.[1] This approach leverages the convenience and familiarity of these locations, potentially reaching a broader population of parents and children who may not have a regular pediatrician or face challenges accessing traditional healthcare facilities.[1] Training programs should be developed to equip pharmacists and retail clinic staff with the knowledge and communication skills to effectively answer parental questions about vaccines and address vaccine hesitancy.[1] Collaborating on educational materials displayed in waiting areas or distributed during visits can raise awareness about the importance of childhood vaccinations.[1] In addition, streamlined referral networks connecting pharmacies and retail clinics with primary care providers can ensure children receive comprehensive vaccination care.[1] Examples of public health programs utilizing such collaborations include initiatives by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC) offering training modules for pharmacists on vaccine administration and counseling, and similar programs by state health departments providing educational resources for retail clinics to distribute to parents.[2, 3] Peer-reviewed research suggests this collaboration can be beneficial. Studies have shown that pharmacies and retail clinics can play a significant role in increasing childhood vaccination rates by providing convenient access to vaccinations, addressing parental concerns, and connecting families with ongoing healthcare providers.[4]

Evidence. Expert Opinion. Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts...

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.

Potential Data Sources. Data to support this strategy can be accessed through:

  • Pharmacy and retail clinic staff surveys
  • Post-intervention knowledge and self-efficacy data
  • Provider communication logs

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

  • Health and Health Behaviors/Behavior Change. This strategy improves individuals' physical and mental health and their adoption of healthy behaviors (e.g., healthy eating, physical activity).
  • Policy. This strategy helps to promote decisions, laws, and regulations that promote public health practices and interventions.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Health Teaching (Education and Promotion) (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Community-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework (see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).

Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)

  • Number of pharmacies and retail clinics partnering to provide childhood vaccination education and support. (Measures community engagement and reach)
  • Number of pharmacy and retail clinic staff trained to deliver accurate and supportive vaccine information to families. (Assesses capacity for reliable education)

Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)

  • Percent of participating pharmacies and retail clinics that offer convenient hours and walk-in availability for vaccine education and administration. (Assesses family-centered access)
  • Percent of vaccine education and support services provided in families' preferred languages and tailored to their beliefs. (Measures responsive care)

Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)

  • Number of formalized agreements developed by Title V established between pharmacies, retail clinics, primary care practices, and health departments to coordinate vaccine efforts that results in high levels of engagement. (Builds collaborative infrastructure)
  • Number of technology solutions implemented to enable seamless reporting and tracking of childhood vaccinations across settings. (Strengthens data integration and interoperability)
  • Number of communities that achieve and sustain high childhood vaccination rates through strong pharmacy and retail clinic engagement. (Measures population health impact)
  • Number of influenza, measles, and other vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks prevented or contained through widespread vaccine availability and uptake. (Shows community protection impact)

Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)

  • Percent of formalized agreements developed by Title V established between pharmacies, retail clinics, primary care practices, and health departments to coordinate vaccine efforts that results in high levels of engagement. (Builds collaborative infrastructure)
  • Percent of technology solutions implemented to enable seamless reporting and tracking of childhood vaccinations across settings. (Strengthens data integration and interoperability)
  • Percent of communities that achieve and sustain high childhood vaccination rates through strong pharmacy and retail clinic engagement. (Measures population health impact)
  • Percent of influenza, measles, and other vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks prevented or contained through widespread vaccine availability and uptake. (Shows community protection impact)

Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:

  1. Move from measuring quantity to quality.
  2. Move from measuring effort to effect.
  3. Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
  4. The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.

Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.

References

[1] Saloner, B., Wilk, A. S., & Levin, J. (2020). Community health centers and access to care among underserved populations: a synthesis review. Medical Care Research and Review, 77(1), 3-18.

[2] Vaccine education and Training for Healthcare Professionals | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/index.html

[3] Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (n.d.-c). Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS). Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-immunization-information-system-miis

[4] Hoeben BJ, Dennis MS, Bachman RL, Bhargava M, Pickard ME, Sokol KM, Vu L, Rovers JP. Role of the pharmacist in childhood immunizations. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash). 1997 Sep-Oct;NS37(5):557-62. doi: 10.1016/s1086-5802(16)30243-1. PMID: 9479408.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.