Evaluation of the first pharmacist-administered vaccinations in Western Australia: a mixed-methods study
Open Access
- 20 September 2016
- Vol. 6 (9), e011948
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011948
Abstract
Objectives This study evaluated the uptake of Western Australian (WA) pharmacist vaccination services, the profiles of consumers being vaccinated and the facilitators and challenges experienced by pharmacy staff in the preparation, implementation and delivery of services. Design Mixed-methods methodology with both quantitative and qualitative data through surveys, pharmacy computer records and immuniser pharmacist interviews. Setting Community pharmacies in WA that provided pharmacist vaccination services between March and October 2015. Participants Immuniser pharmacists from 86 pharmacies completed baseline surveys and 78 completed exit surveys; computer records from 57 pharmacies; 25 immuniser pharmacists were interviewed. Main outcome measures Pharmacy and immuniser pharmacist profiles; pharmacist vaccination services provided and consumer profiles who accessed services. Results 15 621 influenza vaccinations were administered by immuniser pharmacists at 76 WA community pharmacies between March and October 2015. There were no major adverse events, and Conclusions This initial evaluation of WA pharmacist vaccination services showed that vaccine delivery was safe. Convenience and accessibility were important aspects in usage of services. There is scope to expand pharmacist vaccination services to other vaccines and younger children; however, government funding to pharmacists needs to be considered.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Publicly funded remuneration for the administration of injections by pharmacistsCanadian Pharmacists Journal / Revue des Pharmaciens du Canada, 2013
- Parents’ perceptions of pharmacists as providers of influenza vaccine to childrenJournal of the American Pharmacists Association, 2013
- Vaccinations Administered During Off-Clinic Hours at a National Community Pharmacy: Implications for Increasing Patient Access and ConvenienceAnnals of Family Medicine, 2013
- Pharmacy provision of influenza vaccinations in medically underserved communitiesJournal of the American Pharmacists Association, 2012
- Pharmacist-provided immunization compensation and recognition: White paper summarizing APhA/AMCP stakeholder meeting: American Pharmacists Association and Academy of Managed Care PharmacyJournal of the American Pharmacists Association, 2011
- Pharmacists as providers: Targeting pneumococcal vaccinations to high risk populationsVaccine, 2011
- With Maine on board, pharmacists in all 50 states can vaccinateAmerican Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 2009
- The role of pharmacists in the delivery of influenza vaccinationsVaccine, 2004
- The use of pharmacy immunization services in rural communitiesPublic Health, 2003
- Barriers to Vaccinating Preschool ChildrenJournal Of Health Care For The Poor and Underserved, 1990