Courtney Wittstad
Ensuring Childhood Vaccine Access Through Collaboration Among Pharmacy, Community, and School Networks
Courtney Wittstad is a student pharmacist at Professional Pharmacy in Baltimore, MD.
“Equity gaps exist regarding childhood vaccination rates. Given the unique position of pharmacy in the community, pharmacists have the capacity to help identify and address these equity gaps through partnerships with school and community networks. I hope this project brings to light the pharmacists' role in these efforts and establishes new roles for pharmacists in helping with these practices.
The primary goal of this project is to increase vaccine uptake among diverse populations, particularly children from underserved communities. Through my pharmacy education, I’ve learned that community engagement is essential to promoting health equity. While the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers vital resources to support this effort, there is limited information on how pharmacists can actively contribute to its success.
I am deeply grateful to receive this Incentive Grant and the opportunity to contribute to the Baltimore community and the broader pharmacy network. It’s an honor to raise awareness about the barriers some children face in accessing vaccinations and to explore best practices for addressing these challenges.”