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Improved Influenza Vaccination Rates in a Rural Population as a Result of a Pharmacist‐Managed Immunization Campaign
Author(s) -
Amburgh Jenny A.,
Waite Nancy M.,
Hobson Eric H.,
Migden Hedy
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.21.13.1115.34624
Subject(s) - medicine , vaccination , pharmacist , immunization , influenza vaccine , family medicine , health care , population , pediatrics , pharmacy , immunology , environmental health , antigen , economics , economic growth
Study Objective. To increase the rate of influenza vaccinations in high‐risk patients by means of a pharmacist‐managed immunization campaign. Design. Unblinded, single intervention. Setting. Rural primary care clinic. Patients. Six hundred fifty‐seven patients at high risk for contracting influenza according to criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Intervention. High‐risk patients identified by chart review were mailed an education packet on influenza immunization. Vaccinations were given in specially designated clinics and during routine clinic visits. Campaign success and reasons why patients remained unvaccinated were determined by follow‐up surveys. Measurements and Main Results. The influenza vaccination rate increased from 28% at baseline (before program initiation) to 54% after program initiation. Unvaccinated patients were younger and resided in more urban areas than vaccinated patients; vaccinated patients had a higher frequency of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Vaccinated patients consistently identified the education packet and their health care providers as primary motivators for vaccination. Conclusion. Our pharmacist‐managed vaccine program increased the influenza immunization rate in high‐risk patients.