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Pharmacist‐led influenza vaccination services in residential aged care homes: A pilot study
Author(s) -
McDerby Nicole C.,
Kosari Sam,
Bail Kasia S.,
Shield Alison J.,
MacLeod Tamra,
Peterson Gregory M.,
Naunton Mark
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12611
Subject(s) - vaccination , pharmacist , medicine , family medicine , influenza vaccine , service (business) , pharmacy , medical emergency , business , immunology , marketing
Objectives The feasibility of pharmacist‐led influenza vaccination services in residential aged care homes has not previously been studied. The primary objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of this service. The secondary objective was to assess the effect of the service on employee vaccination rates. Methods An in‐house pharmacist‐led vaccination service was implemented at a single site in 2017. De‐identified employee influenza vaccination records at this site for 2016 and 2017 were compared to assess the change in vaccination rate. Results The residential care pharmacist administered 37% of all influenza vaccinations to employees (n = 78) in 2017. Between 2016 and 2017, there was a significant improvement in the employee vaccination rate at the site (46.5% vs 69.2%, P < 0.01). Conclusions It is feasible for pharmacists to administer influenza vaccinations to employees in residential aged care. The flexibility of an in‐house pharmacist improves accessibility and can therefore promote uptake of influenza vaccination by employees.