U of S trains pharmacists to give flu vaccine

The College of Pharmacy and Nutrition’s Continuing Professional Development for Pharmacists (CPDP) office at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) has been training provincial pharmacists since April in preparation for the upcoming flu season. The training program combines online and in-person educational components to ensure pharmacists have the required skills to properly administer medications and the flu vaccine by injection.

“The Pharmacist Immunization and Injection training program is important because it means an increase in accessibility for patients,” said Lisa Bagonluri, manager of the CPDP at the U of S. “This makes it easy for more people to get vaccinated, which will decrease their risk of getting influenza.”

The Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan provided $350,000 in funding to train pharmacists to administer injections. This training support was put in place to remove any financial barriers and to ensure as many pharmacists as possible are trained to provide injections for the 2015-16 flu season.

To receive the flu vaccine from a pharmacist, members of the public can visit their nearest participating pharmacy. A valid Saskatchewan health services card is required and you must be at least nine years old. For a list of participating pharmacies, visit:https://www.skpharmacists.ca/patients/flu-shots

For more information, contact:
Kieran Kobitz
Communications Specialist
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-2502
kieran.kobitz@usask.ca