Did you know that millions of adults may have missed crucial vaccines due to restrictive state policies on pharmacist vaccination authority? In this episode of Healthcare Matters, hosts Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc sit down with Vibhu Tewary and Conrad Bhamani from the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science to discuss new research conducted by the IQVIA Institute and GHLF on how these restrictions impact vaccination rates. They break down key findings from the report, revealing that states with tighter regulations see significantly lower vaccine uptake — by as much as 14% for RSV vaccines.

Tune in as they explore real-world consequences for underserved communities, why pharmacists are essential to public health, and what policy changes could help expand vaccine access.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:17: Ben introduces the key topic of the episode: how state restrictions on pharmacists’ vaccination authority may be preventing millions of adults from accessing crucial vaccines

02:56: Dr. Popovian explains that pharmacists are the most accessible health care professionals, particularly in underserved communities, and cites data showing that many patients prefer to receive vaccines at pharmacies

05:27: Conrad highlights key statistics from the report, including that states requiring a physician’s prescription for RSV vaccines see a 14% lower vaccination rate, while states requiring a physician protocol see a 9% lower rate

07:41: Vibhu explains how pharmacy access is critical for people in low-income and minority communities, who often face additional barriers to seeing a physician during regular office hours

09:56: Dr. Popovian outlines policy recommendations, including eliminating physician prescription requirements and protocol restrictions, to make vaccinations more accessible

12:39: Dr. Popovian emphasizes the importance of collaboration between pharmacists and physicians and urges pharmacists to advocate for policy changes

14:10: Vibhu discusses how states that grant pharmacists independent vaccination authority tend to have higher immunization rates and how data should drive policy decisions

16:14: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts

Contact Our Hosts

Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: rpopovian@ghlf.org

Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: bblanc@ghlf.org

A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.

We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to podcasts@ghlf.org

Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

Did you know that millions of adults may have missed crucial vaccines due to restrictive state policies on pharmacist vaccination authority? In this episode of Healthcare Matters, hosts Dr. Robert Popovian and Ben Blanc sit down with Vibhu Tewary and Conrad Bhamani from the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science to discuss new research conducted by the IQVIA Institute and GHLF on how these restrictions impact vaccination rates. They break down key findings from the report, revealing that states with tighter regulations see significantly lower vaccine uptake &mdash; by as much as 14% for RSV vaccines.
Tune in as they explore real-world consequences for underserved communities, why pharmacists are essential to public health, and what policy changes could help expand vaccine access.
Among the highlights in this episode:
01:17: Ben introduces the key topic of the episode: how state restrictions on pharmacists&rsquo; vaccination authority may be preventing millions of adults from accessing crucial vaccines
02:56: Dr. Popovian explains that pharmacists are the most accessible health care professionals, particularly in underserved communities, and cites data showing that many patients prefer to receive vaccines at pharmacies
05:27: Conrad highlights key statistics from the report, including that states requiring a physician&rsquo;s prescription for RSV vaccines see a 14% lower vaccination rate, while states requiring a physician protocol see a 9% lower rate
07:41: Vibhu explains how pharmacy access is critical for people in low-income and minority communities, who often face additional barriers to seeing a physician during regular office hours
09:56: Dr. Popovian outlines policy recommendations, including eliminating physician prescription requirements and protocol restrictions, to make vaccinations more accessible
12:39: Dr. Popovian emphasizes the importance of collaboration between pharmacists and physicians and urges pharmacists to advocate for policy changes
14:10: Vibhu discusses how states that grant pharmacists independent vaccination authority tend to have higher immunization rates and how data should drive policy decisions
16:14: Dr. Popovian shares some final thoughts
Contact Our Hosts
Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF: <a href="mailto:rpopovian@ghlf.org">rpopovian@ghlf.org</a>
Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF: <a href="mailto:bblanc@ghlf.org">bblanc@ghlf.org</a>
A podcast series produced by Ben Blanc.
We want to hear what you think. Send your comments, or a video or audio clip of yourself, to <a href="mailto:podcasts@ghlf.org">podcasts@ghlf.org</a>
Listen to all episodes of Healthcare Matters on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 

Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 

The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 

www.ghlf.org

Welcome to Healthcare Matters! In this podcast, we talk about 'matters' in healthcare and why it matters to you! 
Our host Ben Blanc will speak with our talented Chief Science Officer Robert Popovian. And together, we will take on some pretty complex topics and distil them, so everyone can understand what is happening in the world of healthcare. 
The show is brought to you by the Global Healthy Living Foundation. 
www.ghlf.org

Healthcare Matters

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.

The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF and Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.

A podcast that pulls back the curtain to help you make sense of complex healthcare economics and policy issues. Our goal is to help simplify the complexities in healthcare economics and policy issues for you.
The podcast is part of the Global Healthy Living Foundation Podcast Network and hosted by Dr. Robert Popovian, Chief Science Policy Officer at GHLF and Ben Blanc, Associate Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF.