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Background: Lack of access to healthcare is an oft-cited reason for the failure of many Americans to obtain seasonal influenza vaccinations. Access to care is a growing problem, as a shortage in excess of 100,000 doctors is expected to occur in the next 15 years, with over 40% of this shortage affecting primary care. Health professional shortage areas, as recognized by the federal government, have an inflated population to primary care provider ratio. This has a direct bearing on access to immunizations since the majority of preventative care received by Americans is delivered in a primary care setting. Community pharmacies are well positioned throughout the country to step in and assist in providing immunizations to these populations, potentially impacting access to preventive care for millions of Americans.
Objectives: To evaluate the capacity of a national retail pharmacy chain to offer and administer influenza immunizations in health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) throughout the U.S.
Methods: Retrospective study looking at the number of locations of one national retail pharmacy chain situated in HPSAs, as well as the number of people served and number of influenza immunizations administered by the study pharmacy in HPSAs during the 2009-2010 influenza season. HPSAs were identified throughout all 50 states. Pharmacy data was used to map locations of administered influenza immunizations and stores to HPSAs.
Results: Over 80 million Americans reside in a HPSA throughout the country. The retail pharmacy chain was able to serve 43.8% of these people. Over 36.6% of all influenza immunizations administered by the retail pharmacy chain were provided in HPSAs.
Conclusions: Community pharmacies are well positioned throughout HPSAs, affording patients residing in areas with overburdened or unavailable healthcare providers to have access to influenza immunizations. This accessibility may help increase vaccination rates for various populations across the country.