APhA and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) have partnered to create a resource for pharmacists seeking guidance in speaking to patients about the benefits of immunizing children and adolescents against HPV.

“As an immunization provider, community pharmacy plays an integral role in educating the public and providing eligible patients with the HPV vaccine as a cancer prevention strategy,” Sara Roszak, MPH, MA, NACDS director of research, told Pharmacy Today. “NACDS and APhA compiled these resources to support community pharmacy’s immunization activities and to strengthen public awareness on pharmacy’s role in HPV and cancer prevention.”

The HPV Resource Center was jointly compiled by APhA and NACDS and funded by CDC to provide community pharmacists with up-to-date HPV information, practice tools, and resources for talking to patients and caregivers.

According to a January 2015 APhA report, 47 states and territories allow pharmacists to administer HPV immunizations, 16 of them with no limits based on age. Thirty-one more impose age restrictions, and some states require patients to have a physician’s prescription before they can receive the immunization from a pharmacist. CDC recommends the vaccine for boys and girls at 11 or 12 years of age.

To access the resource center, visit http://hpv.pharmacist.com.

Updated July 8, 2016.