A recent publication revealed that between September 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023, an estimated 70% of adults across all age groups received their COVID-19 bivalent doses at a federal retail pharmacy (FRPP), and FRPP partners administered more than 40 million doses of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines. Another study indicated that as of February 3, 2024, an estimated 9.36 million respiratory syncytial virus doses were administered in pharmacies compared with only 291,599 in physician medical offices. These statistics also accentuate the impact of pharmacists in the delivery of vaccinations.
Pharmacists are well poised to identify patients who may benefit from certain vaccinations and make clinical recommendations tailored to patient needs. Various publications have also highlighted that many patients prefer to obtain vaccines at their local pharmacy due to their confidence in pharmacists, and other preferred factors include convenience, flexibility of hours, and ease of accessibility of obtaining a vaccine without making an appointment.
Studies have shown that vaccination services provided through community pharmacies have increased the number of available vaccine providers and locations where patients can receive them. Since more than 90% of the U.S. population lives within 5 miles of a pharmacy, pharmacists have critical roles in expanding immunization rates, and a publication in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association indicates that pharmacists aid in improving vaccine confidence by providing patients with trustworthy information, addressing vaccine hesitancy, and engaging patients in conversation to assist them in making informed decisions.
Another systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association revealed that pharmacists, whether acting as immunizers, advocates, or both, meaningfully expanded immunization rates compared with usual care or nonpharmacist interventions. The authors also revealed that the CDC recognized the pivotal roles of pharmacists, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the administration of vaccines and in overcoming vaccine hesitancy.
According to Immunize.org, many adults are unaware of the vaccines that are recommended for adults, with only one in every five patients actually being up to date. The CDC also indicates that healthcare providers, including pharmacists, have a critical role in augmenting adult vaccination rates since their vaccine recommendations can significantly influence patients’ decisions to get vaccinated. Other recommended strategies to expand vaccination rates include providing reminder systems for vaccinations, reinforcing confidence in vaccine safety and effectiveness, and assessing vaccination status in patients.
Studies demonstrate that many patients decide to get a vaccine after receiving a recommendation from a provider; therefore, patient-education initiatives are vital to expanding vaccination rates, especially among adults.
Vaccinations are crucial for protecting patients from vaccine-preventable diseases and diminishing the risk of severe illness and mortality rates. While electing to obtain vaccinations is an individual decision, pharmacists can provide patients with relevant clinical data and empower patients to make informed decisions about vaccinations, including risks versus benefits.
The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.
