Readiness and willingness to provide immunization services: a survey of community pharmacists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Immunization rates among the adult population in Saudi Arabia fall below desired targets, urging the need to expand this service in the community. Community pharmacists are recognized as highly accessible healthcare professionals, and community pharmacies-because of the convenient location and extended working hours-offer a unique place to provide a vaccination service. The aims of this study were to assess community pharmacists' readiness and willingness to provide an immunization service and to identify the factors that may support the implementation of such service in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional paper-based survey conducted in the community pharmacy setting in Riyadh region between February and April 2016. A questionnaire was developed to determine the pharmacists' readiness and willingness to provide immunization services. A convenience sample of community pharmacists from five different parts of Riyadh was reached and invited to participate. Results: Of the 179 invited community pharmacists, 139 completed the survey (response rate was 77.7%). Of the 139 respondents, 76 (55%) expressed their willingness to administer vaccines and establish an immunization service. Among the participants that had shown willingness, many explained their reasons in accepting this role, including their accessibility in the community (56/57, 98.3%) and the possibility of expansion in the rate of immunization coverage in certain age group, such as the elderly (47/51, 92.2%). The remaining 63 (45%) respondents who were not willing and ready to provide immunization services mainly agreed that a lack of training (46/61, 75.4%) and concerns in maintaining patient safety (31/46, 67.4%) were considered as barriers to deliver immunization services. Most importantly, continuous professional education and training workshop on immunization and pharmacist's interest were the main drivers of immunization service implementation. Conclusion: Community pharmacists working in Saudi Arabia are willing to provide immunization services. However, overcoming the barriers identified in this study is a key to success in any future planning for implementing immunization services in the community pharmacy setting. Future larger studies are also needed to explore patients' willingness and acceptability to use this service from community pharmacists.

Readiness and Willingness to Provide Immunization Services after Pilot Vaccination Training: A Survey among Community Pharmacists Trained and Not Trained in Immunization during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

“…This may be due to the higher level of knowledge and skills acquired during the workshops. Similar results were shown by other studies, e.g., those conducted in the United States [ 16 ] and Saudi Arabia [ 15 ]. In both cases, the pharmacists emphasised easy access to vaccinations and the impact on the increased vaccination coverage rate.…”

“…What is more, the pharmacists not participating in the Pharmacists Without Borders workshops pointed out various barriers to a much greater extent. The lack of relevant training courses as a barrier to providing vaccinations in pharmacies was also pointed out by researchers in Saudi Arabia [ 15 ].…”

“…The study was anonymous and was conducted among pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Poland between February and August 2020. The readiness and willingness of pharmacists to provide vaccination services were assessed by means of a questionnaire specifically designed for this study on the basis of a study conducted in the Saudi Arabia [ 15 ], and in order to adjust it to the Polish healthcare system, it was reviewed by academic experts. The final version of the survey was translated to Polish.…”

Barriers to Implementing a Pharmacist-Run Immunization Service, as Perceived by community Pharmacists in a Middle Eastern Country: A cross sectional web-based survey

“…Other common challenges include issues related to lack of knowledge of managing adverse events following immunization and vaccines precautions and contraindications. The lack of relevant training courses was also pointed out by researchers in Saudi Arabia as a barrier to providing vaccinations in pharmacies [21]. Additional factors were also cited as barriers by participants like limited pharmacy sta ng, di culties in having adequate oor space to provide a vaccination service in the community pharmacy premises, lack of time to administer vaccines, and liability concerns.…”

Multidisciplinary Effort and Integrative Preparedness: A Lesson for the Foreseen Multivariate COVID-19 Pandemic Flare-Up

“… 49 Due to higher visit rates, patient encounters, and their extended opening hours, community pharmacies are important places to reach broad range of social classes. 50 In America, most pharmacists provide vaccines without appointment, without waiting, and without visit charges. In addition, they are distributers of vaccines to the clinics and physicians.…”