Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1. Describe the level of community pharmacy readiness to provide immunization delivery services.
2. Identify the level of discontinuation of immunization delivery service.
3. Compare the level of pharmacy readiness among 17 states.

Background:
Pharmacies and pharmacists are in an excellent position to help increase immunization rates among high risk populations. Pharmacies may vary in terms of their readiness to provide immunization delivery services. Better knowledge of their readiness may help policymakers design effective strategies to expand pharmacy involvement in these important services.

Objectives:
To describe the level of community pharmacy readiness to implement, continue, and discontinue pharmacy-based immunization delivery services

Methods:
A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to gather information from key informants of community pharmacies in 17 states. For each state, a systematic random sample of 150 pharmacies was drawn, resulting in a total sample of 2,558 pharmacies. Interviews, using a Computer Assisted Telephone Interview system, achieved the response rate of 69.1%.

Results:
Pharmacies were classified into 6 readiness stages. Of 1707 pharmacies, 37.8% had no intention to implement immunization services, 14.3% were thinking about implementing but had no specific plans, and 12.4% had a clear plan to implement an immunization service; 8.9% were unsure. Overall, 17.3% already were immunization service providers. Discouraging is that 7.8% said they planned to discontinue their immunization service. Results vary widely across the 17 study states.

Conclusions:
Community pharmacies are in different stages of readiness to provide immunization delivery services. Patterns of readiness vary from one state to another. However, in most states, the majority of pharmacies have begun no immunization services. Strategies to facilitate pharmacy involvement should be tailored to fit pharmacies in a specific readiness stage.