From Virus to Vaccination: Bridging Gaps in Influenza Prevention and Practice
Target Audience: Pharmacist
Course Overview
Influenza is a highly contagious viral illness of the respiratory tract that typically occurs in late fall, winter, and early spring. It affects millions of people in the United States and millions more worldwide every year. Influenza vaccines can be effective at preventing influenza, decreasing the severity of illness, and may reduce the need for hospitalization. Vaccine efficacy varies based on the influenza variant, the severity of a particular flu season, and differences in the vaccines prepared for that season. Trivalent vaccine formulations are available, including both injectable and nasal spray forms.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify the types of influenza virus
- Discuss prevention strategies to reduce the spread of influenza infection
- Identify approaches to influenza vaccine adverse reactions
- Describe influenza treatment options
Faculty
I. Introduction
II. Influenza Virus
III. Infected Droplets
IV. Contact Transmission
V. Epidemiology of Influenza
VI. Annual Epidemics
VII. Seasonal Variations
VIII. Clinical Features and Diagnosis
IX. Severity, Outcomes, and High Risk Groups
A. Children
B. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and Pregnancy
C. Older Adults and People with Comorbidities
X. Preventing the Spread of Influenza Infection
A. Infection Control Techniques and Precautions
B. Infected Individuals Should Avoid Contact with Others
C. Influenza Vaccines for the Prevention of Influenza Infection
XI. Treating Influenza Infection
A. Treatment with Antiviral Medications
B. Antiviral Medication Adverse Events
XII. Role of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, and Interns
XIII. Travelers and Influenza Vaccination
XIV. Special Considerations of Influenza Vaccination
A. Vaccination Adverse Reactions
B. Anaphylaxis Preparedness and Response
XV. Emerging Vaccine Strategies
XVI. Summary
From September 26, 2025 through September 26, 2028, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in developing this activity: Steven Malen, PharmD, MBA, and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.