About this collection
Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent serious infectious disease, yet many adults miss recommended vaccines due to low awareness, competing priorities, or access barriers. Recognised as one of the community's most accessible and trusted health professionals, pharmacists are uniquely placed to identify eligible patients during everyday encounters and support timely, evidence-based vaccination conversations, particularly for groups such as older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and travellers.
This collection brings together a series of CPD activities designed to strengthen your vaccination practice with trusted, evidence-based guidance and practical strategies you can apply immediately.
"Community pharmacy plays a critical role in improving public health through immunisations. I encourage all pharmacists to stay up to date with vaccine education and help protect our most vulnerable community members from preventable diseases"
Kos Sclavos AM
Chief Pharmacist - DBG Health
DUniv, BPharm, GradDipClinPharm, AdvDipCommPharmMgmt, FWPC, FPG, FPS, EFACP, FACP (HC), FIPharmM, FAIM, FAICD
eLEARNING MODULE FOR PHARMACISTS
Author:
Jacqueline Gourley
Community Pharmacist & Medical Writer | B.Pharm
Endorsed by:
Kos Sclavos AM
DUniv, BPharm, GradDipClinPharm, AdvDipCommPharmMgmt, FWPC, FPG, FPS, EFACP, FACP (HC), FIPharmM, FAIM, FAICD
Description:
National shingles vaccination rates are declining, and many adults underestimate the seriousness of vaccine-preventable diseases or overestimate the risks of vaccination.¹⁻² In this environment, the pharmacist’s role becomes even more important. The ability to recognise opportunities, offer clear guidance and build trust during brief interactions can meaningfully change a patient’s health trajectory. Every conversation is a chance to prevent illness, reduce the risk of long-term pain and support healthier ageing.
By completing this module, you will learn how to apply your clinical knowledge within everyday pharmacy workflow to expand vaccination services safely and efficiently. You will build confidence in assessing eligibility, managing common barriers and using motivational interviewing to engage patients in meaningful vaccine conversations. These skills will support proactive patient identification, streamline your approach and enhance your ability to deliver high-quality vaccination services.
Learning outcomes:
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Describe the clinical features, complications and risk factors for shingles.
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Explain Shingrix recommendations, including eligibility, dosing, funding and co-administration.
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Outline motivational interviewing techniques to support patients who are unsure about shingles vaccination.
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Identify practical workflow and team-based strategies to improve shingles vaccination uptake and completion.
eLEARNING MODULE FOR PHARMACISTS
Description:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasingly recognised as a significant cause of serious respiratory illness in older adults.³⁻⁴ Older age is associated with a higher incidence of RSV infection requiring hospitalisation, with the highest rates observed in those aged 70 years and above.³⁻⁴ The burden of RSV in adults in terms of morbidity and mortality is now considered comparable to influenza.³⁻⁴ Despite this, RSV risk in older adults remains under-recognised, and opportunities for prevention may be missed.³
Pharmacists are among the most accessible and trusted health professionals in Australia and are increasingly the preferred choice for many Australians seeking vaccination services.¹⁺⁵ This places pharmacists in a strong position to identify older adults at risk of RSV, initiate timely conversations and support informed vaccination decisions during everyday interactions. With no specific antiviral treatments available, preventative vaccination can meaningfully reduce the risk of severe illness associated with RSV infection for older adults.³⁺⁶
This training focuses on equipping vaccinating pharmacists to confidently apply RSV clinical knowledge in practice. You will strengthen your understanding of RSV disease in older adults, build confidence in determining vaccination eligibility, and develop motivational interviewing skills to support patient-centred vaccination conversations.
Learning outcomes:
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Describe the clinical features, complications and risk factors for RSV in older adults.
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Explain RSV vaccine recommendations, including eligibility, dosing, funding status and co-administration considerations.
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Outline motivational interviewing techniques to support older adults who are unsure about RSV vaccination, including discussions about the cost of private vaccination.
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Identify practical workflow and team-based strategies to improve RSV vaccination uptake in community pharmacy.
Author:
Jacqueline Gourley
Community Pharmacist & Medical Writer | B.Pharm
eLEARNING MODULE FOR PHARMACISTS
Description:
International travel is well and truly back on the agenda for Australians. Australian Bureau of Statistics data show that in November 2025, more than 1 million short-term resident departures occurred, surpassing November 2019 (869,120).⁷ As travel has resumed, community pharmacists can expect more enquiries about travel-related health and vaccination, and more opportunities to support travellers before they depart.
Many travellers underestimate travel-related health risks, particularly when a destination feels familiar or “safe”. This is especially true for people visiting friends and relatives, who may be less likely to seek pre-travel health advice despite longer stays, exposure to local food and water, and closer contact with the local community.⁸⁺⁹ For pharmacists, this creates a clear opportunity: you are accessible, trusted, and well placed to support travellers in identifying risks earlier, recommending appropriate vaccines, providing practical prevention advice, and referring when further care is needed.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B remain important vaccine-preventable risks for travellers. Hepatitis A can be acquired through contaminated food and water, while hepatitis B being bloodborne may pose unexpected exposure risks during travel (medical or dental care, accidents, sexual exposure).⁹⁻¹² This module builds your confidence in applying current Australian Immunisation Handbook travel recommendations, using a structured risk assessment that considers itinerary, activities, and exposure risk, not destination alone.⁹
Learning outcomes:
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Describe how hepatitis A and hepatitis B are transmitted and why travellers may be at risk.
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Outline key hepatitis A, hepatitis B and combination hepatitis A/hepatitis B vaccine options and schedules, including when accelerated schedules may be appropriate.
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Identify key questions to ask during a pre-travel risk assessment to inform recommended and required travel vaccines.
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Discuss Pharmacist workflow essentials and recognise when referral is appropriate for travel health risks outside a pharmacist’s scope of practice.
Author:
Jacqueline Gourley
Community Pharmacist & Medical Writer | B.Pharm
Patient handout kits coming soon...
To support clinicians' consultations with patients, families and carers on pre-T1D diagnosis, Breakthrough T1D is currently developing a range of online resources.
To receive updates on when these resources become available, pre-register here.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Details
This medical education collection is being developed to Australian medical CPD standards and will offer learners a combination of Educational Activity, Reviewing Performance and Measuring Outcomes education.
See individual activities for relevant accreditation details.
Certificates of completion will be available to learners upon successful completion of each activity.
Praxhub acknowledges GSK for its support of this education. The sponsor has provided no input into the content of this education.
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References:
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Hava C. How pharmacists can stop the slide in immunisation coverage - Australian Pharmacist. Australian Pharmacist. Published June 16, 2025. Accessed December 8, 2025.
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GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd. New survey research exposes lack of shingles awareness among at-risk Australians. Gsk.com. Published May 3, 2024. Accessed December 8, 2025.
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Alfano F, Bigoni T, Caggiano FP, Papi A. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Older Adults: An Update. Drugs & aging. 2024;41(6). DOI: 10.1007/s40266-024-01118-9
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Foley DA, Phuong LK. RSV: an update on prevention and management. Australian Prescriber. 2025;48(2):34-39. DOI: 10.18773/austprescr.2025.018
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Hart B. The evolving role of Australian community pharmacists in vaccination: challenges and opportunities. Microbiology Australia. 2024;45(4):201-204. DOI: 10.1071/ma24055
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Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Published August 4, 2025. Accessed December 15, 2025.
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Australian Bureau of Statistics. Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Published January 16, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026.
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Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Infectious diseases and travel. The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Published July 16, 2025. Accessed January 28, 2026.
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Australian Immunisation Handbook. Vaccination for international travellers. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Published January 19, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026.
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Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Immunisation for travel. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Published October 16, 2025. Accessed January 28, 2026.
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Australian Immunisation Handbook. Hepatitis A. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Published January 22, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026.
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Australian Immunisation Handbook. Hepatitis B. The Australian Immunisation Handbook. Published January 19, 2026. Accessed January 28, 2026.