Background: Thousands of people die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. Pharmacists can be a valuable resource in aiding the success of immunizations.Objective: To determine the barriers to implementing a program utilizing pharmacists as immunizers, as perceived by pharmacists, in a supermarket pharmacy chain.Methods: A 15 question survey regarding the perceived barriers to implementing a pharmacist-run immunization program was distributed to 60 pharmacists in a supermarket chain in northwestern Ohio. The responses were tabulated using a 5 point Likert scale. The data were analyzed utilizing the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results: Of the 60 pharmacists who received the survey, 43 completed the questionnaire (response rate 72.0%). A majority of the pharmacists surveyed believed that patient privacy was an issue in administering adult immunizations in a community pharmacy. The majority of pharmacists were concerned about the risk of adverse reactions to the vaccines and the need for a quick response to control these reactions. Twenty-five pharmacists believed that the prescription volume at their pharmacy limited them from having time to immunize. Twenty-one pharmacists cited cost as the main determining factor in a pharmacy immunization program. Conclusions:Many barriers to implementing a pharmacist-run immunization program exist. The future success of such an immunization program rests on overcoming the perceived barriers in a formal and timely manner.

Immunization provides an important means for preventing communicable diseases. In recent years, administering immunizations has become part of contemporary pharmacy practice. Some view pharmacist-administered immunizations as a significant advance in the practice of pharmacy for providing care to patients. In Ohio, pharmacists may administer immunizations and pharmacists are not required to notify the patient’s physician or the local health department. There is a need for pharmacy students to obtain immunization certification so they are prepared for practice in the pharmacies of today. Including a training program for pharmacy students as immunizers is consistent with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Center for the Advancement of Pharmaceutical Education Educational Outcomes 2004. The objective of this article is to describe an immunization certification program for pharmacists and pharmacy students based on the requirements of Ohio Law and guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Program structures for certification programs for pharmacists and pharmacy students are described and include an immunology review, a review of specific immunization medications, a review of aseptic technique, administration techniques, proper disposal procedures, accidental needle sticks, and basic life support training. Teaching methodologies are identified and methods of assessment for mastery of the course elements are listed.