Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vaccination among community pharmacists

Abstract

Background: Healthcare professionals’ vaccine recommendation is the most effective method to increase vaccination rates of the community. The vaccine counseling and recommendation behavior of pharmacists, who are among the easily accessible healthcare professionals, are influenced by their knowledge and attitudes about vaccines. Aim: It was aimed to investigate community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding commonly used vaccines. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted as an online survey with a sample of 1100 community pharmacists in Turkey. Pharmacists were invited to participate in the study by phone calls. A structured survey, which consists of 40 questions to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vaccines, was sent to the e-mail addresses of pharmacists who volunteered to participate in the study. Findings: A total of 430 pharmacists completed the survey. Thirty percent of pharmacists had lack of knowledge about vaccination during pregnancy, whereas 52.2% and 31.4% of pharmacists believed that tetanus and influenza vaccines should be provided during pregnancy, respectively. Nearly 89% of pharmacists recommended vaccines to patients, mainly for influenza vaccine (83.9%). Only 31.5% of pharmacists had been vaccinated against influenza in the last season, whereas 50.5% had never been vaccinated. Pharmacists who had been vaccinated with influenza vaccine had a high rate of recommending influenza vaccines to the patients. Conclusion: The present study found that vaccination among pharmacists in Turkey and their knowledge on vaccination during pregnancy were low. Further education of pharmacists to improve their knowledge and attitudes toward vaccines is needed.

An analysis of attitudes, knowledge, and willingness of Thai pharmacists as vaccinators: A nationwide survey study

“…However, the overall mean knowledge score of the respondents in this study was considerably low, suggesting the need for redesigning the vaccination training program. Similar issues in immunization knowledge among pharmacists were also noted in other studies 26,27 . Improving competencies of pharmacy students and pharmacists, particularly regarding adverse events following immunization, requires thorough review and assessment of core elements and content of immunization topics in both undergraduate and post‐graduate curricula against desired competencies.…”

“…As a result, 12.3% of the respondents in this study had obtained a vaccination training certificate, which could have partially influenced the willingness rate.ably low, suggesting the need for redesigning the vaccination training program. Similar issues in immunization knowledge among pharmacists were also noted in other studies 26,27. Improving competencies of pharmacy students and pharmacists, particularly regarding adverse events following immunization, requires thorough review and assessment of core elements and content of immunization topics in both undergraduate and post-graduate curricula against desired competencies.The current study found that vaccinators and non-vaccinators weighed distinct factors when deciding to participate in immunization ences in other country 16,28.…”

Pharmacy-Based Influenza Vaccination: A Study of Patient Acceptance in Romania

“… 42 Patients are hesitant to get vaccinated in pharmacies, citing the insufficient experience of the pharmacy staff in performing vaccinations. 43 There is also a concern about the low level of hygiene and sanitation, although pharmacies have strict hygiene protocols. 44 Finally, patient reluctance is also related to managing adverse reactions after vaccination, although studies show comprehensive and proper management of post-vaccination adverse events by pharmacists.…”

COVID-19 booster vaccination in rural community pharmacies

“…Previous research found significant associations between community pharmacists’ influenza vaccination status and recommending the vaccine, where pharmacists who had been vaccinated themselves were more likely to recommend the flu vaccine to their patients. [10] , [11] , [12] In a survey of rural pharmacists, Carpenter et al reported that 91% of respondents were ready or actively planning to provide the COVID-19 vaccination series, [7] but their attitudes and plans regarding the booster dose are unknown.…”