Increasing adult vaccinations at a regional supermarket chain pharmacy: A multi-site demonstration project

Millions of American adults do not receive the recommended vaccinations each year. Community pharmacies are well positioned to help fill this gap through easy access and innovative patient-centered interventions. The primary goal of this demonstration project was to implement new notification and motivational interviewing processes at a regional supermarket chain pharmacy to increase the number of influenza, pertussis, pneumococcal, and herpes zoster vaccines provided to adults.

This prospective, observational project utilized a pre-post design. Algorithms were developed with pharmacy dispensing data to identify vaccine-eligible patients. Pharmacy staff then received automated notifications through one of the following: (1) a vaccine message printed on the prescription receipt or on paper attached to the prescription bag when patients came to the pharmacy; or (2) a patient list generated through commercially-available software listing patient contact information and which vaccine they were eligible to receive. Irrespective of the notification process, pharmacy staff employed motivational interviewing techniques either face-to-face or telephonic to engage patients in conversation about getting vaccinated. Finally, an interface to the statewide vaccination registry was developed and tested to transmit vaccination information from all pharmacy locations.

Ninety-nine pharmacies participated in the demonstration project across western Pennsylvania. A 33% increase in vaccinations was recorded over the prior year. Increases in vaccines were demonstrated in three of the four vaccine types: 45% for influenza, 31% for pertussis, and 7% for pneumococcal vaccinations. A decrease of 5% was observed for herpes zoster vaccinations. A successful connection to the statewide vaccine registry was established and 100% of all vaccines administered were transmitted to the registry.

A combination of face-to-face and telephonic interventions with motivational interviewing were successful at increasing adult vaccinations in a regional supermarket chain pharmacy. Equal and sustained prioritization for all vaccines is necessary to achieve increases across all vaccine types.