Assessing Pneumococcal Vaccination Availability in Under-Vaccinated Rural Counties: A Pharmacy Perspective

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pharmacy Practice
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Rural populations often exhibit lower vaccination rates than recommended.
• Community pharmacies present a potential solution for improving vaccine access.
• Collaborative drug therapy agreements (CDTAs) enable pharmacists to prescribe and administer immunizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the accessibility of pneumococcal vaccines in rural pharmacies.
• To assess the role of community pharmacies in Eastern Washington state for vaccine delivery.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative descriptive study design was employed.
• All pharmacies in two rural Washington counties were surveyed via telephone.
• Data analysis involved directed content analysis and descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

• Sixty percent of surveyed pharmacies offered vaccines, with significant price variations for PCV13 and PPSV23.
• Vaccinating pharmacies often provided convenient walk-in scheduling.
• Some pharmacies required external prescriptions, while others could prescribe via CDTA.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacist administration of pneumococcal vaccines can significantly improve access in rural areas.
• Enhanced availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability are expected outcomes.
• This study highlights the potential of community pharmacies to bolster immunization rates in underserved rural communities.