Year of Publication

2024

College

Public Health

Date Available

5-1-2024

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

Committee Chair

Dr. Richard Ingram

Committee Member

Dr. Melody Ryan

Committee Member

Dr. Clark Kebodeaux

Committee Member

Dr. Martha Riddell

Abstract

Vaccines are arguably the most significant advancement in healthcare in the prevention of diseases. The CDC has created a series of recommendations to help guide providers and patients toward a healthier future with vaccines. These recommendations were adopted by the Health People Goals 2020 and 2030 to increase each state's rates of completing specific vaccination series by defined age thresholds. This capstone aims to assess if there is a correlation between vaccination rates and pharmacists; specifically to see if states that give less restrictions about vaccinating would have higher rates. It is also important to see if states with more pharmacists per 100,000 people saw similar increases in vaccines given. The study design is a cross-sectional study using retrospective data reported from each state given to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, and descriptive data from the American Pharmacist Association, APhA.

There was no significant difference in vaccination completion regardless of vaccine, state regulations, or the number of pharmacists per state. However, this does not indicate the need for more barriers but rather the need to increase individuals' access to receive vaccines. It is anticipated that more than one state will meet the Healthy People 2030 Goals.

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