Pharmacy Immunization Community Strategy

Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada. Community attack rates range from 10 to 20 percent, but can be more than 50 percent in closed settings such as residential care facilities or schools. In BC, influenza vaccine is provided free to hose at increased risk of severe disease and/or death from influenza infection, including the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Despite access to free vaccine, adult immunization rates in the eligible population remain too low.

Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada. Community attack rates range from 10 to 20 percent, but can be more than 50 percent in closed settings such as residential care facilities or schools. In BC, influenza vaccine is provided free to hose at increased risk of severe disease and/or death from influenza infection, including the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Despite access to free vaccine, adult immunization rates in the eligible population remain too low.

Obstacles to immunization include complacency, lack of knowledge, inconvenience and others. Pharmacists are in a unique position to help overcome many of these obstacles because they are among the most accessible health professionals. They can, play an important role as experts in providing education about and promoting influenza vaccination.

Therefore, the objectives of this research proposal re to examine if a pharmacy focused strategy can be utilized to improve vaccination rates in rural communities within British Columbia. Specifically, focusing on the region with the lowest influenza vaccination rates in the province, pharmacists will be utilized to actively promote influenza vaccinations to people who are at high risk of infection. The study will be a comparison between two comparable communities.

Public health and pharmacist together have the potential to be powerful partners in mitigating the impact of seasonal influenza each year. If this approach improves immunization rates, pharmacists may be utilized to promote other vaccinations to adults and adolescents.