Pharmacy Technicians in Immunization Services: Mapping Roles and Responsibilities Through a Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Pharmacy practice
• Public health
• Healthcare workforce development

Background:

• Pharmacy technicians are increasingly integral to immunization services, improving vaccine access and efficiency.
• Their involvement enhances pharmacy workflow and patient care, particularly in community settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review pharmacy technician involvement in immunization services globally.
• To comparatively analyze pharmacy technician immunization training curricula and identify gaps.
• To develop a toolkit for implementing immunization training programs.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review following the Arksey and O'Malley framework.
• Searches of PubMed and Scopus databases for relevant studies.
• Descriptive and thematic analyses of findings, supplemented by curriculum analysis.

Main Results:

• 35 articles were included, predominantly from the USA.
• Pharmacy technicians significantly contribute to vaccine administration, patient education, and workflow optimization.
• Challenges include regulatory barriers and lack of standardized training; facilitators include legislative support and structured programs.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacy technicians are vital for expanding immunization services and improving vaccine uptake.
• Addressing regulatory issues, enhancing training, and fostering collaboration are essential for integration.
• This review provides a basis for expanding technician roles in immunization, especially in regions where it's not yet standard.