Physicians see most of those who die of these diseases, but many neglect to vaccinate them. Three options are offered to expand access to these vaccines. The most feasible one involves expanding prescribing authority for pneumococcal and influenza vaccines to all licensed healthcare professionals and paraprofessionals with physiologic and pharmacologic expertise to responsibly vaccinate. Community pharmacies offer advantages as immunization delivery sites, in terms of proximity, hours of operation, and knowledge of people at highest risk. Expanded professional training can ensure high levels of public safeguards while expanding immunization delivery.
Society decides the controls needed to protect the health of the people.
If society restricts vaccine access too severely, people die needlessly. Increasing prescribing authority for pneumococcal and influenza vaccines to more health professionals will save many lives.