The Implementation of the Professional Role of the Community Pharmacist in the Immunization Practices in Italy to Counteract Vaccine Hesitancy

Abstract

In Italy, the National Vaccinal Prevention Plan has renewed the commitment of the Italian government to promote a culture of vaccination practices in the general population and especially among healthcare professionals, considering it as a strategic goal. The search for useful tools and techniques to promote a layered and widespread information network capable of restoring a climate of trust and confidence towards vaccination, leads us to reflect on the possibility, already adopted in numerous countries, of enlisting community pharmacies in immunization campaigns also in Italy, positively implementing the professional role of the community pharmacist in immunization. The pharmacist is often the first point of contact with both the patients and the public, both for the relationship of trust and confidence that binds him to the citizens, and for the ease of access in relation to the widespread distribution of community pharmacies in the territory, the availability of prolonged operating hours, the absence of need for appointments and positions near/outside of healthcare facilities. Currently, in Italy the role of the community pharmacist is limited to counseling and providing advice and information regarding the benefits and/or any risks of vaccination practices, but does not imply a direct engagement in immunization programs, rather a collaboration to avoid straining and overwhelming the vaccination centers. Some recent questionnaire-based studies have shown that Italian community pharmacists have attitudes that are favorable to vaccinations, even though their knowledge is rather limited. Together with expanding the engagement of community pharmacists in immunization programs, their educational gap should be addressed in order to significantly improve and enhance the protection of the public health.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vaccination among community pharmacists

“…It has been known that community pharmacists are easily accessible HCPs and can play an active role in vaccination by counseling, supplying vaccines, and performing vaccination to enhance vaccination coverage of the community (Isenor et al, 2016;American Public Health Association, 2019;Ciliberti et al, 2020). On the other hand, pharmacists' knowledge of vaccines may affect their attitudes toward vaccine advice, which reflects the need for raising awareness of vaccination among HCPs (Ciliberti et al, 2020).…”

“…It is essential to reveal the factors that affect HCPs' vaccination-related attitudes and behaviors to provide effective and appropriate preventive healthcare services. Although studies have evaluated the impact of the pharmacist as a vaccine practitioner, a limited number of studies were focused on pharmacist's knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about vaccines and vaccination (Barrett et al, 2018;Ciliberti et al, 2020;Scarpitta et al, 2019;Della Polla et al, 2020;Valiquette et al, 2015;Toledo et al, 2017;Dolan et al, 2012;Tolentino et al, 2018). In particular, not many studies were undertaken in developing countries, where community pharmacies are the most preferred source of health information, therefore raising awareness of pharmacists becomes crucial.…”

Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives Toward the Integration of over the Counter Supplements During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study from Jordan

“…37 , 38 Pharmacists, for example, are easily accessible to the community. Thus, Ciliberti et al study 39 highlighted the potential implementation of the healthcare professional’s role of community pharmacists in building scientifically grounded trust toward COVID-19 vaccines to promote acceptance by the general population.…”

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Maximising the Extending Roles of Community Pharmacists in Nigeria in Driving Behavioural Changes in Public Health Interventions

“…The polio vaccine refusal in Northern Nigeria in 2003/2004 did not only in countering vaccine myths and concerns which is an important public service that pharmacists are well-suited to performing [40]. A study shows that community pharmacists are widely accessible to the public, knowledgeable, and very capable vaccination providers, and therefore they would play a key role in the COVID-19 vaccination program [41]. Research also shows that community pharmacists can help in providing educational and counseling activities, with evidence-based facts, addressing common misconceptions about vaccinations, and potentially preventing future outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases [42].…”