Pharmacists’ role in immunization and prevention of infectious disease

By Joey Mattingly

Sitting calmly with her shirt sleeve pushed up, a 65-year-old woman waits with her eyes closed.
She feels a coolness as her arm is cleaned with an alcohol swab. Within seconds, she feels a little
sting and then the pressure of cotton over the microscopic prick. Her eyes open and she smiles at
the health care professional seated next to her, happy that it is over. In an instant, the woman
received a flu vaccination that could save her life. As she rolls down her sleeve she asks the
person in the white coat, “So when will you finish pharmacy school?”

Pharmacists and student pharmacists have more opportunities than ever to have a positive effect
on patient health. Through advocacy, the profession has expanded its scope of practice to include
immunizations and more preventive care. As arguably the most accessible health care
professionals, pharmacists are in a position to greatly increase the number of patients vaccinated
in the United States. This could save millions of dollars in health care cost for the treatment of
diseases like influenza, pneumonia, shingles, and even cervical cancer. With the role of the
pharmacist expanding to include immunization administration, situations like the one with the
student pharmacist described above are possible all across the United States.

Be proactive
According to CDC, nearly 200,000 Americans are hospitalized each year from complications of
influenza alone. With an expanded role, pharmacists can be more involved in patient care and
disease prevention. In order to have a real influence on society, pharmacists and student
pharmacists need to be proactive in this area. Promotion of immunization services should be a
priority for all pharmacists. Student pharmacists can contribute to awareness through patient care
projects and working as a part of Operation Immunization. If patients do not know that
pharmacists can administer vaccinations, the opportunity to make a difference will be lost.

In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO), along with UNICEF, developed a Global
Immunization Vision and Strategy for 2006–2015, seeking to provide vaccinations to every
eligible person. By 2010, the goal is to have at least 90% national vaccination coverage. In order
to reach these goals, every pharmacist and student pharmacist should contribute by encouraging
patients to get vaccinated, educating patients regarding the importance of immunization, and
administering vaccinations as permitted by state statutes.

While working toward the lofty goals set by the WHO and UNICEF, many opportunities are
missed when high-risk patients do not receive vaccinations or information about immunizations.
This is where pharmacists and student pharmacists can improve patient education by going
beyond posting signs and passing out flyers. All patients in high-risk categories should be
counseled regarding available vaccinations. Pharmacists and student pharmacists should consider
immunizations as an integral part of medication histories. It is important that practitioners work
to make patient immunization another aspect of pharmacy practice.

Lead by example
Another way pharmacists and student pharmacists can improve the national immunization rate is
to lead by example. What message does it send to patients when pharmacy employees,
interacting with sick patients every day, have not received an influenza vaccination? As health
care professionals working directly with patients on a regular basis, it is important that all
employees of the pharmacy receive appropriate immunizations. Not only will this protect
pharmacy personnel, but it will reinforce the importance of immunization.

Positive effect on patients’ lives

Advocates for the profession worked hard to include immunizations in t the practice of
pharmacy. With this expansion comes great potential to affect public health positively. Through
education, awareness, and administration of vaccines, pharmacists and student pharmacists play
a vital role in preventing disease and improving the quality of patients’ lives. Do not let this
opportunity go to waste.

Joey Mattingly is a third-year PharmD/MBA Candidate at the University of Kentucky College

of Pharmacy and is 2007–2008 Vice-chair of the APhA–ASP Communications Standing
Committee.