Kevin Aloysius
SHIELD: Strengthening Herpes Zoster Immunization Equity for People Living with HIV Through Pharmacist-Led Delivery
The SHIELD Project was motivated by the significant gap in shingles vaccination among people living with HIV, a group at higher risk for complications yet often overlooked in adult immunization efforts. We recognized that pharmacists are uniquely positioned to close this gap through education, access, and coordinated care.
Our goal is to build a sustainable model that embeds vaccine equity and confidence directly into everyday HIV pharmacy practice.
I’m most excited to see how the SHIELD Project can build on Legacy Community Health’s more than 40 years of innovative community health service transforming immunization access just as the organization transformed HIV care in its early days. This grant gives us the opportunity to empower pharmacists as trusted care partners, reduce disparities in vaccine uptake among people living with HIV, and set up a sustainable model that honors the legacy of inclusive, accessible care at Legacy Community Health. Seeing this project replicated across other health centers would be the ultimate success.