Pharmacy-based Immunization in Rural Communities Strategy (PhICS): A community cluster-randomized trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in Canada, particularly among the elderly and those with chronic diseases.
• Up to 7000 influenza-related deaths occur annually, highlighting the need for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of community-based, pharmacy-administered influenza vaccination clinics on vaccination rates.
• To evaluate the impact of these clinics on elderly populations and at-risk younger individuals with chronic conditions.

Main Methods:

• A 2-year community cluster-randomized trial was conducted in rural British Columbia.
• Intervention communities offered pharmacy-based clinics with personalized invitations and community promotion.
• Vaccination rates were determined by dividing the number of immunizations by census-derived population estimates.

Main Results:

• In 2010, influenza vaccination rates for individuals aged 65 and older increased significantly in intervention communities (80.1%) compared to control communities (56.9%).
• Baseline vaccination rates were similar between groups in 2009.
• For individuals aged 2-64 with chronic conditions, vaccination rates were lower in intervention communities (16.3%) than control communities (21.2%) in 2010.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacy-based influenza vaccination clinics are feasible and well-attended, effectively increasing vaccination rates among the elderly.
• The intervention did not improve, and potentially lowered, vaccination rates in younger individuals with comorbidities.