Pharmacists Participation In An Influenza Immunization Clinic Targeting the Latino Population

Frausto, Sonya

Background: Latino populations in California have low immunizations rates. This is due to a variety of barriers such as language, inadequate access to healthcare or immigration status. In addition, there are manpower issues that affect the delivery of immunization services. California budget cuts have forced many county agencies to close-down several immunization clinics that provide vaccinations. This puts vulnerable populations, such as the Latinos, at risk for influenza related illnesses. Pharmacists and student pharmacists have an opportunity to work with local community leaders and immunization health branches to assist in the delivery of influenza vaccination.

Setting: An annual Latino community health fair called Celebrando where health related screenings and immunizations are free.

Population: Communities that received this service are primarily the Latino population.

Project Description: Partnering with community area leaders, county immunization branches to allow pharmacists and pharmacy students the opportunity to practice and integrate with the community in a non-traditional setting as one way to deliver influenza vaccinations. Pharmacists and pharmacy students organized, participated and assessed the success of the influenza vaccination clinic at this health fair. The number of participant and age was recorded and shared with local community leaders, event organizers and state agencies for each year of participation. The event ran for one day for 6 hours.

Results/Lessons Learned:

In 2010, influenza vaccines were provided to 633 Latino adults and children aged 3 and above. Almost 60% of the vaccinations were given to adults between ages of 19-49. In 2011, influenza vaccines were only provided to Latino adults (n= 662) over the age of 18. Almost 70% of the vaccinations were given to adults between the ages of 19-49. Despite not offering vaccination to children in 2011, vaccinations provided by pharmacists and pharmacy student proved successful and reached a larger population of adults than the previous year.

30371 Pharmacists Participation In An Influenza Immunization Clinic Targeting the Latino Population