Access to Community Pharmacies Increased Willingness to Receive Flu Vaccine
Researchers investigated the acceptability of community pharmacy-led influenza vaccination and patients’ willingness to return for future immunization.
Due to the convenient access of their practice locations, patients who received influenza vaccines at a community pharmacy demonstrated high willingness to return for future immunization services, according to data published in Vaccine.1
“Seasonal influenza poses a significant global burden, due to its widespread impact on health and the economy,” wrote the authors. “In Europe, influenza infections resulted in approximately 27,600 deaths annually, with Germany accounting for 156,000 hospital admissions between 2010 and 2019.”
Mortality and hospitalization rates in the US are similar, also highlighting a need for better access and education for immunization services. In the 2023-24 flu season alone, CDC estimated over 14 million influenza cases, 150,000 hospitalizations, and 9400 deaths.2
In Germany, prior to the study, patients relied generally on primary health care providers to administer vaccines. | image credit: Elena / stock.adobe.com
Despite the prominence of this well-known respiratory virus, vaccination rates continue to be lackluster. In populations at increased risk of hospitalization and mortality, influenza vaccine coverage rates are suggested to be 75%. However, German officials continue to observe rates between 35% and 40%.
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“To improve vaccine accessibility, increase vaccination rates, and ultimately enhance overall coverage, pharmacy-based vaccination services are now authorized in 56 countries worldwide,” continued the authors.1 “Community pharmacists play diverse roles, including serving as immunizers, facilitators of immunization, and educators.”
Many pharmacists across the globe have demonstrated their ability to provide vaccine services with improved outcomes. As researchers noted, the COVID-19 pandemic was a notable example that highlighted the role pharmacists play in administering vaccines and other pharmacy services.
In Germany, however, patients rely generally on primary health care providers to administer immunization, leading researchers to investigate how outcomes are impacted when pharmacists step in to vaccinate. For the study, conducted in various locations in Germany, pharmacists were given permission to administer vaccines in pilot programs for regions all around the country.
“The objectives of this study were to compile, homogenize, and analyze survey data collected during the 3 pilot influenza seasons (2020−2023) across 8 German federal states,” they continued.1 “The present study aimed to investigate pharmacists' and clients' acceptance of pharmacy-led immunizations and to assess the safety and satisfaction levels of vaccinees using these services.”
From September 2020 to March 2023, pharmacy-led pilot programs for vaccination services were conducted across Germany. As part of the study, researchers conducted surveys with participants of the pilot vaccination program. Broke into 2 parts, the survey explored standard vaccination items as well as pharmacy-focused topics including client demographics and duration of the vaccination encounter.
“The survey assessed the client's satisfaction with the vaccination process, the information received at the vaccination site, and their inclination to consider community pharmacies for future vaccinations against influenza or other diseases,” they wrote.1 “These questions were on a 5-point Likert-like scale, ranging from 1 (‘Strongly disagree’) to 5 (‘Strongly agree’). Lastly, clients were asked if they would have chosen to receive an influenza vaccination if it had not been offered at the pharmacy.”
Across all flu seasons from 2020-2023, researchers collected a total of 11,571 questionnaires. Highlighting a steady climb in influenza vaccination rates, participant numbers in each season increased every year, from 1228 participants in the 2020-21 season to 4810 in 2021-22 and peaking at 5374 participants during the 2022-23 flu season.
“Our findings reveal, that among all participants, 17% would not have pursued vaccination, and an additional 11% were undecided about receiving the vaccine had it not been accessible through pharmacies,” the authors added. “This effect is even more pronounced among first-time vaccine recipients, with 28% indicating they would not have been vaccinated and 35% expressing initial uncertainty.”
With the sheer visibility of community pharmacies in various locations across the world, this study provides data supporting independent pharmacists as key facilitators in immunization services. Reiterated by patients’ willingness to receive a vaccination after participating in the pilot program, researchers found that adding essential health care services to the most readily available providers may boost immunization rates.
Looking beyond the pilot program, over 95% of patients expressed satisfaction and said they were willing to receive future vaccinations in the same setting. Researchers also noted that this trend went beyond influenza vaccines and was observed for other types of pharmacist-led immunization. Finally, reinforcing why patients relayed such high satisfaction, just .08% of vaccinations resulted in serious reactions while the average administration time was just 12 minutes.
“In summary, influenza vaccinations in community pharmacies have been well-received and could serve as a valuable tool to enhance both the acceptance and accessibility of influenza vaccinations for the wider public and specific at-risk demographics,” they concluded.1 “While the legal framework for pharmacy-based influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations has recently been established, considering the expansion of vaccination services offered by pharmacies is warranted, given their proven low-barrier and safe service provision.”
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