Implementing Immunizing Pharmacy Technicians in a Federal Healthcare Facility

Abstract

Background: Pharmacy technicians are legally allowed to administer immunizations in specific U.S. states, provided they meet certain criteria, including the completion of an accredited immunization training course. Immunizing pharmacy technicians were incorporated into an Indian Health Services federal facility, Whiteriver Service Unit (WRSU), in 2018. The objective of this research was to gather information about implementing immunizing pharmacy technicians in a federal facility serving a large rural and medically underserved population. Methods: WRSU launched a Pharmacy Technician Immunization Program in June 2018 after seven federally employed pharmacy technicians participated in the Washington State University accredited technician immunization training. The types of vaccinations administered, and the ages of patients immunized by pharmacy technicians, were tracked from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Results: Seven immunization-trained pharmacy technicians administered 4394 injections for a total of 4852 vaccinations in one year. Vaccinations were administered to patients ranging in age from 2 months old to 85 years old and included protection against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, H. influenza, human papillomavirus, seasonal influenza, meningococcal, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, pneumonia, and rotavirus. Conclusion: In one year, seven pharmacy technicians administered more than 4800 vaccinations to underserved patients. Pharmacy technicians trained and certified to administer immunizations increase access to vaccination care and have the potential to drastically increase the number of immunizations given and reduce the number of deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Pharmacy technician-administered immunizations: A five-year review

“…In addition, pharmacists who worked with trained technician immunizers in a federal facility reported it improved workflow greatly, allowing pharmacists to provide more clinical services. 53 Therefore, greater empowerment of pharmacy technicians as immunizers seems to expand the opportunity for advanced pharmacist services.…”

“…45 Similarly, pharmacists supervising technician immunization administrators in a federal facility reported their support for the effort and encouraged other technicians to participate in training. 53 Pharmacist comfort is likely also aided by reports of safety. McKeirnan et al 13 and McKeirnan and Sarchet 53 reported 953 immunizations with no reported adverse events in community pharmacy settings and 4852 vaccinations given in a federal health care facility without issue.…”

“…53 Pharmacist comfort is likely also aided by reports of safety. McKeirnan et al 13 and McKeirnan and Sarchet 53 reported 953 immunizations with no reported adverse events in community pharmacy settings and 4852 vaccinations given in a federal health care facility without issue. An estimated 25,000 immunizations were provided by pharmacy technicians in Idaho by 2018 with no reported adverse events.…”

The role of pharmacy technicians in vaccination services: a scoping review

“…All but one study was published within the last 5 years. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] The majority of included studies were conducted in community pharmacies (85.7 %, n ¼ 12) [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]33,34 with one inpatient hospital study 21 and one outpatient hospital study that included vaccination clinics. 32 With the exception of one Canadian paper, 29 all of the included studies took place in the United States (92.8%, n ¼ 13) spanning 8 states.…”

Embracing the Evolution of Pharmacy Practice by Empowering Pharmacy Technicians

“…Similarly, studies focused on medication history collection have found that pharmacy technicians are accurate and time efficient and, in some cases, may also decrease costs [4,5]. In terms of immunization administration, McKeirnan and Sarchet have affirmed that appropriately trained pharmacy technicians improve access to vaccination care, thereby having the potential to increase the number of immunizations given and reduce the number of deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases [6].…”