Immunization services offered in Québec (Canada) pharmacies

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy Practice
• Public Health
• Immunization Services

Background:

• Pharmacists in Québec can promote, counsel, and sell vaccines, but not administer them.
• Existing services include vaccine promotion (75%), patient counseling (65%), and nurse-administered vaccines (27%).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe immunization services offered in Québec pharmacies.
• To assess the relationship between pharmacy characteristics, perceived difficulties, and vaccine administration.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 1663 Québec pharmacy owners in 2008-09.
• 1102 (66%) responded, providing data on services, willingness to administer, and perceived challenges.

Main Results:

• 90% of pharmacies sold vaccines; 27% had nurses administering them.
• Half of pharmacists expressed willingness to administer vaccines if legally permitted.
• Factors positively associated with vaccine administration included co-located health professionals, longer hours, and collaboration agreements.

Conclusions:

• Most Québec pharmacists are willing to expand their role in immunization.
• Collaboration between public health and pharmacists is crucial for enhancing vaccine administration.
• Addressing patient demand is key to increasing vaccine administration in pharmacies.