Immunization Uptake Higher When Pharmacists Are Involved

Pharmacist participation in immunization efforts positively affects immunization rates, according to study findings published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association.

“Pharmacist involvement as immunizer, advocator, or both roles have favorable effects on immunization uptake, especially with influenza vaccines in the United States and some high-income countries,” wrote corresponding author Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk, PharmD, PhD, of the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, and coauthors.

The study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials and 79 observational studies that involved pharmacists in the immunization process. Immunization types and pharmacist settings varied, and included influenza, pneumococcal, herpes zoster, and Tdap vaccines, as well as community pharmacy, hospital, and clinic settings.

Compared with usual care or non-pharmacist-involved interventions, immunization efforts involving pharmacists significantly increased immunization rates. Pooled analyses of data from randomized controlled trials showed immunization risk ratios of 1.14 when pharmacists were immunizers, 1.31 when pharmacists were advocators, and 1.14 when pharmacists were involved in both roles. 

Evidence from observational studies was consistent with findings from randomized controlled trials, according to study authors.

“Additionally,” wrote researchers, “interventions with pharmacist involvement also had an impact on other related outcomes (patient attitude towards vaccines, pharmacist confidence in vaccine recommendation and administration, vaccine compliance and appropriateness, and patient satisfaction), which indirectly improves the vaccine coverage.”

Reference:
Lan LM, Veettil SK, Donaldson D, et al. The impact of pharmacist involvement on immunization uptake and other outcomes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Pharm Assoc. Published online June 24, 2022. doi:10.1016/j.japh.2022.06.008