Impact of pharmacists as immunizers on influenza vaccination coverage in the community-setting in Nova Scotia, Canada: 2013-2015

Abstract

BackgroundAnnual immunization is the most effective way to prevent influenza and its associated complications. However, optimal immunization rates are not being met in Nova Scotia, Canada. Additional providers, such as pharmacists, may improve access and convenience to receive vaccines. Pharmacists began immunizing patients 5 years of age and older within the publicly funded universal influenza vaccination program during the 2013-2014 influenza season. The objective of this study was to evaluate influenza immunization coverage rates before and after pharmacists in Nova Scotia gained authority to immunize as part of the publicly funded universal influenza vaccination program.MethodsInfluenza immunization data was obtained from the Department of Health and Wellness from 2010 to 2015. Data included billing data from physicians and pharmacists, and local public health data. Vaccination coverage was calculated as proportion of vaccinations received in comparison to the total population.ResultsPrior to pharmacists immunizing, overall vaccination coverage for Nova Scotia residents 6 months of age and older was 35.8 % in 2012-2013, increasing to 41.8 % coverage in 2013-2014 the year pharmacists began immunizing. A decrease of 1.9 to 39.9 % was observed in 2014-2015. In patients 65 years of age and older living in the community, coverage has increased from 61.8 % in 2012-2013 to 71.6 % in 2013-2014, and again to 73.3 % in 2014-2015 with the addition of pharmacists immunizing. Prior to pharmacists immunizing the highest coverage noted for this portion of the population was 61.8 %.ConclusionsThe addition of pharmacists as immunizers within a publicly funded universal influenza vaccination program was found to increase overall vaccination coverage in the first year and to maintain higher coverage rates in the second year than those observed before pharmacists began immunizing. Increases in coverage in both years were observed in the elderly. Future research will be required to determine the ongoing impact of the addition of pharmacists as immunizers and other strategies to improve vaccination coverage.

Evaluation of the impact of immunization policies, including the addition of pharmacists as immunizers, on influenza vaccination coverage in Nova Scotia, Canada: 2006 to 2016

“…Pharmacist services were used by patients from all socio-demographic areas, and especially caregivers, healthcare workers and those of working age [ 38 ]. Previous research from Nova Scotia suggested that the addition of pharmacists as immunizers within the publicly funded influenza program increased overall vaccine coverage in the first two years that included pharmacists as immunizers in addition to universal funding [ 40 , 41 ]. This study was able to look at additional data, including data prior to universal funding, geographic distribution data, as well as an additional year of pharmacists as immunizers.…”

Evidence for pharmacist vaccination

“…8 Recent Canadian data, not included in this systematic review, support generalizability of these results in the Canadian context, as increased vaccination rates for influenza vaccines were observed with the addition of pharmacists as immunizers. [9][10][11]…”

Vacunación antigripal en la farmacia comunitaria: opinión de pacientes y farmacéuticos

“…Los resultados muestran que el 85% de los encuestados acogieron favorablemente la posibilidad de recibir la vacuna en la farmacia. Los motivos por los que la prefieren a los CAP reflejan algunos de los valores que la farmacia como centro de salud aporta a la comunidad: proximidad y accesibilidad del profesional sanitario que les atiende, y coinciden con los recogidos en los estudios que valoran los beneficios de la vacunación por farmacéuticos [17][18][19][20][21][22][23]24,25].…”

“…Otros países (Canadá, Estados Unidos, Australia, Reino Unido, Irlanda, Suiza, Portugal, Dinamarca, etc.) han seguido las recomendaciones de expertos e instituciones sanitarias en el sentido de ampliar el acceso a la vacunación antigripal en ámbitos no tradicionales en especial las farmacias comunitarias [17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”