Vaccination in Pregnancy: An Interactive Case-Based Education Program for Pharmacists
This free series of multimedia modules directed at pharmacists provides current information about the role of vaccinations in pregnancy.
In this course, you will learn about:
- The risks of vaccine-preventable diseases among those who are pregnant and their babies
- Vaccine safety in pregnancy
- Vaccine recommendations and schedules for before, during, and after pregnancy
- Providing vaccination care for patients who are planning or are currently pregnant in your pharmacy practice
Additional benefits include:
- Accredited for 2 CEUs (8013-2024-3860-I-P, Aug 28, 2024-Aug 28, 2025)
- Highly interactive content design to facilitate your learning
- Downloadable infographics for use in your practice
This program is made possible by an independent medical education grant from Pfizer. All users who complete the course (achieving at least 70% on the final quiz) can download a Statement of Completion.
Get a preview of what to expect in the course
Modules and Learning Objectives
The program is delivered completely online via the School of Pharmacy’s Thinkific website. It consists of three modules and takes approximately two hours to complete. All users who complete the course (achieving at least 70% on the final quiz) can download a Statement of Completion.
After completing the content, participants should be able to:
Module 1: Safety and effectiveness of vaccination in pregnancy
- Explain the goals of vaccination in pregnancy
- Describe the types of immunity & how immune cells are produced upon vaccination
- Discuss passive immunity through the transfer of antibodies to the fetus
- Describe the capabilities and limitations of an infant’s immune system
- Classify currently available vaccines by type and their expected or known safety in pregnancy
Module 2: Vaccinations specifically recommended in pregnancy or in those planning pregnancy
- Identify vaccines that should be recommended to a person planning a pregnancy
- Provide education on the benefits and safety of recommended vaccines
- Create an action plan for a patient that includes recommended vaccines and their timing from planning a pregnancy through to delivery
Module 3: Enhancing maternal vaccination in practice
- Address vaccine hesitancy among those who are or are planning to become pregnant
- Identify their scope of practice related to maternal vaccination
- Describe the importance of the cocoon strategy to protect mothers and infants
- Guide patients to reputable sources for information on vaccination in pregnancy
Course author
Dr. Sherilyn Houle, Associate Professor, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
Dr. Sherilyn Houle received her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan and her PhD from the Department of Medicine at the University of Alberta. She has practice experience in hospital, home care, community pharmacy, and primary care team settings, including with an international travel and immunizations clinic. She is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, with teaching and research interests in pharmacy practice to full scope with a focus on immunizations and travel medicine. She is a sought-after speaker and contributor to continuing professional development programs and policy papers in immunization.
"Pharmacists care for pregnant patients often, from selecting folic acid supplementation before conception through to anti-nauseants for morning sickness during pregnancy and providing support with newborn care after delivery. Pharmacists are also highly accessible and trusted vaccinators. Yet, few resources have been developed for pharmacists to provide vaccination-related care for patients who are planning or are currently pregnant. My goal is that this program will support pharmacists in discussing and providing vaccinations to this population to protect the health of both pregnant patients and their babies."
- Prof. Houle on why she developed the course
Frequently asked questions
Prof. Houle addresses common questions about this topic and course:
Who is this course for?
While developed for pharmacists, this course can benefit anyone who provides care to people who are planning or currently pregnant, including physicians, nurses, and midwives. It is important that all members of a patient’s care team reinforce the benefits and safety of vaccination around pregnancy.
What are key take-aways from this program?
- The physiologic changes involved in pregnancy also make a pregnant person more prone to severe illness from many vaccine-preventable diseases than they would be if they weren’t pregnant, so this is a higher-risk population
- Vaccination discussions should happen early and be reinforced over subsequent visits. If possible, a person’s vaccination status should be assessed and updated prior to conception, and an action plan for vaccinations should be made early in the pregnancy to allow time for discussion and shared decision-making
- The vaccines recommended during pregnancy are safe, effective, and provide immediate protection for the newborn upon delivery to support their health until they are old enough to receive their own vaccinations
What are the most common myths or misconceptions you have encountered regarding immunization during pregnancy?
Many people are unaware that pregnant people themselves are also at higher risk of severe infection from intracellular viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV because of the physiologic changes involved with being pregnant, which can place both the mother and the baby at risk. A healthy mom also helps to ensure a healthy baby, so the benefits of these vaccines apply to both. I think there is also sometimes concern that clinical trials of most recommended vaccines haven’t included people who are pregnant. It is important to know there are many years of real-world evidence among hundreds of thousands of vaccine recipients worldwide that show these vaccines are safe and effective, which represent more people than would ever have been enrolled in a clinical trial
How can we make it easier to start conversations about this topic?
Conversations will be easier if they start earlier. Pregnancy is a busy time with many decisions to make and things to keep track of. Pregnant people and their partners may need time to have their questions addressed and come to a decision about vaccination, so we shouldn’t be bringing up vaccinations for the first time close to when they are due. It’s never too late to be vaccinated, but being aware of and planning for it earlier will help to support shared decision-making.