The great thing about pharmacy-based vaccination is that it’s convenient. Editor of Vaccines Today on engaging pharmacists in Vaccination
By Fabrice HUMURA
Gary Finnegan is Editor of Vaccines Today. He has a degree in physiology, an MSc in science communications and has worked as a health journalist and editor for 10 years. He was a national winner at the EU Health Prize for Journalists in 2009, 2010 and 2011, as well as Online Journalist of the Year and Opinion Columnist of the Year at the Irish Medical Media Awards in 2007 & 2013 respectively.
Gary, Pharmacists into delivering immunization services can sound new into ears of some people. Tell us from when and where this policy has been applicable?
In some countries, including the US, for example, pharmacy-based vaccination is common. Flu vaccines are frequently given in local pharmacies. However, in Europe, it is a recently phenomenon and there are big differences from country to country.
Portugal, Ireland and the UK are ahead of the pack. In Ireland, pharmacists have been providing vaccinating customers against flu for more than six year. More recently, legislation has been passed to allow pharmacists vaccinate patients against other conditions, such as pneumococcal disease — but this is still much less common, as fewer pharmacists have had the required training.
Portugal has had pharmacy-based vaccination for several years but recently tried a simplified system whereby flu vaccines could be given for free without a doctors’ prescription. This increased vaccination rates.
The great thing about pharmacy-based vaccination is that it’s convenient. Almost every town and villages in Europe has a pharmacist so access is greater than using GPs only.
Advising Patients on vaccination is an obvious role of other healthcare professionals. What is unique about pharmacists when they get involved?
Based on the experience of Ireland and Portugal, it seems pharmacies are reaching people in at-risk groups: older people and patients with chronic conditions are highly recommended for flu vaccination. These are also people who are more likely to see their local pharmacist.
The great thing about pharmacy-based vaccination is that it’s convenient. Almost every town and villages in Europe has a pharmacist so access is greater than using GPs only.
What is your message to people who think that including pharmacists in immunization may affect Medical doctor and patient relationship?
Data from Ireland suggests that pharmacists are reaching new patients. They are not simply vaccinating those who would have previously been vaccinated by GPs or elsewhere. This means that pharmacists are a great way of increasing overall vaccination rates. It is understandable that GPs were initially concerned that they might lose patients to pharmacists but the data suggest this is not what’s happening.
Undoubtedly, it takes amending laws that curtail pharmacists’ role in immunization. Basing on what you have been witnessing, what piece of advice would you give pharmacists who are working hard and pushing to being granted this role?
They should present data from the Irish and Portuguese case studies. It shows that pharmacists can increase overall uptake and reach new, at-risk people which is great for overall public health. Developing a robust training scheme for pharmacists will also provide reassurance to decision-makers, patients and others. It would be unreasonable to request the automatic right for all pharmacists to vaccinate without undergoing training — and regular retraining. It is also important to have clear answers to questions on liability and reporting of adverse events.
What is your message to young pharmacists from different countries with regards to vaccination and their role in healthcare?
Vaccination should be part of pharmacists’ future all over the world. In areas where access to doctors is challenging, pharmacists have an even more valuable contribution to make. This can include providing some immunisation services. Start with flu, build experience and data, and then consider other adult vaccinations.
