Vaccines and special-risk population groups

While vaccines are recommended for almost everyone, there are specific groups of people who may be particularly vulnerable to severe forms of vaccine-preventable diseases. Their health conditions may increase the risk of developing complications requiring hospitalisation, developing secondary illnesses or even dying. Therefore, it is imperative to actively promote vaccination to those groups to ensure that they receive all the vaccines that are suitable for their age and clinical situation. Pharmacists can play an important role in promoting and advocating vaccination to these groups by leveraging their accessibility, expertise and trust by the population. Their frequent interactions with the public provide valuable opportunities to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination.

Cardiovascular diseases

This video highlights the main benefits of vaccination, and which vaccines are recommended for people living with cardiovascular diseases.

30 November 2022

Speaker: Francisco Javier Jiménez, Professor, University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy, Puerto Rico

Francisco Javier Jiménez graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1995 (BS in Pharmacy). In January of year 2000 he began his professional career at the UPR School of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Practice in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which continue at present. In 2001 he acquired his certification as a diabetes care and education specialist. In 2004, he became a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist. His main focus and experiences have been related to community pharmacy services, especially for underserved populations, diabetes care and education, immunisation, research and postgraduate training through the UPR community-based pharmacy residency programme, which he started in 2012 in collaboration with four pharmacies.

Since 2016, he has been training and supporting community pharmacists and PharmD candidates to provide and enhance community pharmacy immunisation services. He is also involved with the UPR medical sciences campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic.