The American Pharmacists Association has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to educate pharmacists and pharmacy personnel about COVID-19 vaccinations in hopes that they can build public trust in the vaccines.

APhA announced Monday it had agreed to a three-part strategy "of building trust, empowering health care personnel, and engaging communities and individuals," according to a statement by the association. The project will support pharmacists by:

• Developing tools for the discussion of vaccines with patients.
• Engaging with the public through videos, webinars, podcasts, news media and social media.
• Collaboration with other pharmacy organizations, health care providers and communities to reach diverse populations.

APhA pointed to research indicating that while a growing majority of Americans have received or plan to receive the vaccine, significant numbers of people are either taking a wait-and-see approach; would accept the vaccine only if mandated by work, school or other activities; or do not plan to receive it at all.

"This project will build on the trust that people already have in their pharmacists to provide education about the vaccines, and thoughtfully and comprehensively address patient concerns," APhA CEO Scott Knoer said. "Pharmacists will be a critical partner in ensuring that this pandemic is brought under control as quickly as possible."

The project will be funded in part through the agreement with the CDC.

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