Pharmacist’s Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs Influence Patients Receiving Vaccination
Investigators specifically analyze information on influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.
The knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of pharmacists on vaccination can influence a patient’s willingness to receive a vaccination, specifically when analyzing data on influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations, according to results of a study published in Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics.1
Investigators specifically analyze information on influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations. | Image Credit: Alex Photo - stock.adobe.com
Pneumococcal disease is common for children and older adults who are at risk for severe illness, according to the CDC. A pneumococcal vaccination can help prevent pneumococcal infections, which include invasive disease. The CDC recommends that all children younger than 5 years old and children 5 to 18 years old with an increased risk should be vaccinated. Further, adults aged 19 through 49 years with an increased risk and adults 50 years and older should also be vaccinated.2
As for influenza, the CDC states that the infection can cause serious disease leading to hospitalization and even death. Every flu season is different, and influenza can affect everyone differently. The agency recommends everyone 6 months and older should get vaccinated for influenza, and it is particularly important for those at a higher risk of serious complications from infection.3
Investigators of the study aimed to assess the pharmacist’s knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. The authors stated, “To date, there has been no systematic review examining the level of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of pharmacists toward vaccinations. Our review of studies fills this gap and allows for a more comprehensive assessment of the analyzed parameters among pharmacists.”1
Investigators conducted a systematic search on February 17, 2024, including data from Medline, Embase, and The Cochrane Library. Studies included were published in English, included vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal diseases, and had a general understanding of the illnesses caused by these infections. Investigators included 24 studies, with 22 being cross-sectional studies, 1 randomized controlled trial, and 1 pre-post interventional quasi-experimental study.1
The knowledge of pharmacists was analyzed in 15 studies, with most studies conducting web-based questionnaires. The level of knowledge was either low or average based on the tests; however, the pharmacists perceived their knowledge as average or above average, according to the study authors. The main knowledge gaps were vaccination in pregnant women, vaccine composition, and symptoms or complications of the infections. There was also insufficient knowledge about the indications for the vaccines for both influenza and pneumococcal diseases.1
As for attitudes and beliefs, 17 studies investigated these traits among pharmacists. Four studies included attitudes about vaccination, 9 included recommending vaccinations to patients, and 4 included aspects associated with vaccination decision-making, according to the study authors. Over half of pharmacists recommended the influenza vaccination to their patients, ranging from 59.5% to 83.9%, compared with a range of 45.3% and 66.5% for pneumococcal disease. Further, over 60% recommended an influenza vaccination for individuals in at-risk groups, primarily patients aged less than 65 years with chronic diseases. However, the range for suggesting vaccination for pregnant women was from 7.9% to 44.1%.1
“In our opinion, vaccination education should begin as early as pharmacy school and continue periodically after obtaining a license to practice,” the study authors concluded.1 “In an era marked by active anti-vaccination movements and declining interest in vaccines in many countries, which leads to a decrease in the vaccinated population, it is crucial to maximize the outreach of vaccination campaigns.”
