Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that attacks mainly the upper respiratory tract — the nose, throat and bronchi and rarely also the lungs. The infection usually lasts for about a week. It is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, myalgia, headache and severe malaise, non-productive cough, sore throat, and rhinitis. It can cause mild to severe illness.
Influenza rapidly spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics. It imposes a considerable economic burden in the form of hospital and other health care costs and lost productivity.
In annual influenza epidemics, 5–15% of the population are affected with upper respiratory tract infections. These annual epidemics are thought to result in between three and five million cases of severe illness and between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths every year around the world.
Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death along with life-threatening complications, even in young, healthy children and adults. Adults 65 and over, followed by adults 50–64, and then children from newborn to 4 years old, are those most likely to be hospitalized during the season. Children, older adults, pregnant women, anyone with a chronic medical condition, and health care workers are especially vulnerable to getting the flu or having complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections.
The virus is easily passed from person to person through the air by droplets and small particles excreted when infected individuals cough or sneeze. The influenza virus enters the body through the nose or throat.
The disease spreads very quickly among the population, especially in crowded circumstances. Cold and dry weather enables the virus to survive longer outside the body than in other conditions. As a result, seasonal epidemics in temperate areas appear in winter.
The best way to prevent flu is by getting vaccinated each year. Vaccination is the principal measure for preventing influenza and reducing the impact of epidemics. Various types of influenza vaccines have been available and used for more than 60 years. They are safe and effective in preventing both mild and severe outcomes of influenza.
Annual vaccination is important for 2 reasons: first, immunity (protection) decreases with time. Additionally, the flu viruses are constantly changing, so the vaccine is often updated to give the best protection.
The Role of Pharmacists in Ensuring the Uptake of Flu Vaccination
The role of pharmacists in vaccination varies across the world. In some countries, pharmacists are primarily involved in ensuring the safe supply and dispensing of vaccines, as well as advocating for immunisation, while in other countries they are empowered to play a more active role, as they are legally authorised to organise vaccinations activities and campaigns.
Several countries authorise vaccination in pharmacies and/or by pharmacists (for example in Argentina, Australia, Philippines, South Africa, UK and USA). In the majority of the cases, this practice has been started with pharmacy-based vaccinations against influenza and then expanded to include other vaccines from the immunisation schedule. In most cases, it is associated with specific requirements such as pharmacist training, management of vaccination records and specifications on premises, equipment and waste management.
Pharmacies are open longer hours when compared with most primary care clinics, so they can provide a convenient platform for vaccination in addition to traditional channels. Evidence in published medical literature suggests that pharmacies are uniquely positioned to influence previously difficult-to-reach populations. A review of pharmacy-led immunization programs concluded that pharmacies might be especially effective in immunizing high-risk, older adults who are more likely to need prescription medications and, therefore, use pharmacy services.
Measuring patient acceptance of pharmacists as immunizer is an important step to expanding their role. The results of several surveys suggest that patients are satisfied with their immunization experience at pharmacies. For example, a survey of patients by the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) concluded that 86.9% of patients were reported as satisfied with pharmacy-based immunization clinics.
Several studies have found an increase in vaccine coverage when pharmacists were involved in the immunization process, regardless of role (educator, facilitator, administrator) or vaccine administered (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal), when compared to vaccine provision by traditional providers without pharmacist involvement.
Expanding pharmacists’ scope of practice to include vaccination significantly increases the number of health care providers who can offer vaccination services. Increasing pharmacists’ role also leads to increased public awareness about vaccination’s importance and availability through routine interaction. This way pharmacists can supplement the vaccinating workforce of health facilities. By increasing the flu vaccination rates, pharmacists can play a significant role in the prevention of future outbreaks and even the eradication of the disease.
Article contributed by Bidhata Khatri (Newsletter Team Member, FIP-YPG 2017–2018 Subcommittee)
