Jean-Venable R. Goode1, Allison M. Wixted, John O. Beckner
2, Shane J. Kraus
3, Dennis D. Stanley
2, Tara D. Reynolds, and Kristin Wiisanen Weitzel
4. (1) Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980533, Richmond, VA, USA, (2) Ukrop's Super Markets, Richmond, VA, USA, (3) Family Practice Specialists of Richmond PC, Richmond, VA, (4) Pharmacy Practice, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
KEYWORD1:
adult immunization, pharmacy
BACKGROUND:
Ukrop's, a local supermarket chain in the area of greater Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Williamsburg, Virginia, began pharmacist administration of influenza and pneumococcal immunizations to adults in 17 pharmacies in the fall of 1998. During that year, Ukrop's pharmacists gave 5,137 influenza vaccinations and 613 pneumococcal vaccinations. At that time, patient demographics, motivation, satisfaction, and outcomes were not formally evaluated.
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study was to acquire and analyze information obtained from patients immunized with influenza and/or pneumococcal vaccine at Ukrop's Pharmacy in the following year to facilitate improvement and expansion of the program for the future.
METHOD:
A survey instrument was designed to obtain information about all patients that received an influenza or pneumococcal vaccine at a Ukrop's Pharmacy from September to December 1999. All patients were asked to complete the questionnaire. Patients vaccinated at off-site immunization clinics were excluded from the study population.
RESULT:
A total of 7,158 surveys were returned and analyzed from the total of 18,000 surveys distributed during the campaign. Demographic data revealed 2,186 males, 3,670 females, and 1302 unidentified. 28.4% of patients were 65 years old or greater with 65 % of these patients having received a pneumococcal vaccine in the last ten years. Five thousand eighty-seven patients (71.1%) visited the pharmacy just to receive a flu shot. 14% of patients immunized indicated that they would not have gone anywhere else for vaccination. In the year prior, 5400 (75.4%) patients received an influenza vaccination, 6% of these reported contracting the flu the same year. Of those responding, 99.7% were satisfied with their experience and 99.6% would recommend the immunization program to family and friends.
CONCLUSION:
The pharmacy-based immunization program was successful and well received by patients and has been expanded to include all adult immunizations. This provides a valuable community service by increasing access to immunizations.
LEARNINGOBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the role of pharmacy-based immunization services.
2. Identify important information about patients vaccinated in a pharmacy-based immunization program.
See more of Pharmacists: a Valued Partner for the Public's Health
See more of The 37th National Immunization Conference
