The University of 蓝莓视频 School of Pharmacy hosted an exciting event on June 6, 2025, to celebrate the launch of the new Pharmacy Innovation in Immunization Research Collaborative (PIIRC) initiative supported by . The $300,000 grant will help improve access, delivery and education of vaccines to Canadians. We鈥檙e pleased to have welcomed members from GSK, professional pharmacy associations, the School, local media and the wider pharmacy community.
鈥淧harmacists and pharmacy technicians play a vital role within communities as immunizers and vaccine advocates,鈥 says Nancy Waite, PIIRC co-founder and professor at the School of Pharmacy.聽 鈥淲ith GSK鈥檚 support, PIIRC will serve as an innovation catalyst to advance pharmacy-based immunization strategies.鈥
We have seen that vaccines save lives 鈥 pharmacy teams have administered more than 20 million COVID-19 vaccines in Canada alone. 聽
PIIRC is dedicated to advancing the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in immunization efforts, improving patient and healthcare provider understanding of vaccines and increasing vaccine uptake nationwide. GSK鈥檚 funding will help train future pharmacists in immunization practices, grant wider access to pharmacy vaccine data, support design and testing of technology solutions and help launch new interdisciplinary collaborations.
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to stand alongside the School in driving innovative, patient-centred immunization strategies that reflect our mission to get ahead of disease together and our commitment to doing what鈥檚 right for communities and for public health,鈥 adds Michelle Horn, country medical director, GSK Canada.
PIIRC builds on valuable insights and strategies to drive positive change in vaccine delivery and education. Their efforts will expand the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, overcome barriers for underserved communities, address vaccine misinformation and trial pharmacy-based scalable solutions.