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Pharmacy and immunization services: pharmacists' participation and impact
Khalid M Kamal1, S Suresh Madhavan, Lucinda L Maine
1Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506-9510, USA.
Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : Japha
|September 4, 2003
Summary
Pharmacist involvement in immunizations increased significantly between 1998 and 2001, with more pharmacists providing services and fewer perceiving obstacles. This trend highlights the growing role of pharmacists in public health immunization efforts.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacy Practice
- Public Health
- Immunization Services
Background:
- The National Pharmacist Immunization Survey of 1998 established a baseline for pharmacist involvement in immunizations.
- Understanding changes in this involvement and associated obstacles is crucial for optimizing pharmacy-based immunization services.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a follow-up survey assessing changes in pharmacist involvement in adult and childhood immunizations since 1998.
- To identify and evaluate obstacles to pharmacy-based immunization services.
- To describe the characteristics of services provided by pharmacists.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted in the United States.
- A nationally representative sample of 6,000 pharmacists was randomly selected.
- An updated questionnaire, based on the 1998 study, collected data on immunization activities, perceived obstacles, and service characteristics.
Main Results:
- The survey achieved a 21.2% response rate (1,266 usable surveys).
- Significant increases were observed in pharmacist counseling for adult immunizations, nurse-administered adult immunizations, and pharmacist-administered adult and childhood immunizations between 1998 and 2001.
- Willingness to provide various immunization services also increased, with pharmacists administering vaccines beyond influenza and pneumococcal, including hepatitis A and B, Lyme disease, tetanus, and chickenpox.
Conclusions:
- Pharmacist participation in both childhood and adult immunization programs has substantially grown in recent years.
- Pharmacists reported fewer perceived obstacles to their involvement in providing immunization services.