Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Sony Poulose
University of Toronto, Canada
Keynote: J Clin Cell Immunol
Overview: The administration
of the influenza vaccination
remains the most effective
method to prevent the spread
of influenza. It is known to
be crucial in protecting the
elderly and those considered
at high risk; however, in
healthy, working adults, flu
vaccination has been shown to
have significant health-related
as well as economic benefits.
The Canadian Immunization
Guide encourages annual
influenza vaccination for all
adults, especially for adults
older than 65 years, those
who are at high risk and those
in close contact with children
younger than 5 years. As one
of the most accessible health
care providers, pharmacists are
in an ideal position to provide
the flu vaccination to the
community.
Method: During the 2013-
2014 influenza campaign, more
than 600 flu vaccines were
administered at a community
pharmacy in Hamilton, Ontario.
A retrospective patient survey
was conducted via telephone
from April to July 2014.
Result: A total of 240 flu
vaccine recipients participated
and completed the survey.
Response rate for the survey
was 38.4% Approximately
one-fifth (n = 43, 18%) of
the participants stated that
they had not received the flu
vaccine in the previous year.
Of those participants who had
received the vaccine in the
previous year, 34% received the
vaccine at a pharmacy, 43% at
a medical office and 23% from
other locations, such as flu
clinics or in the workplace.
A 5-point Likert scale was
used to measure the patient’s
experience following the pharmacist-
administrated vaccine.
Almost all participants (n =
233, 97%) found the overall
experience of receiving the flu
vaccination in a pharmacy to be
“somewhat pleasant”or “very
pleasant.” The study participants
agreed that the experience was
convenient (n = 238, 99%) and
that the pharmacist was skilled
in administering the vaccine (n
= 234, 98%). Most participants
stated that they would receive
their next flu vaccine at a pharmacy
(n = 220, 92%). More than
two-thirds of study participants
would also like to see pharmacists
administer other vaccines in the
future (n = 165, 69%).
Conclusion: The overall positive
response from the patient
experience survey suggests that
participants were very satisfied
with the influenza vaccination
service being provided by
pharmacists. As pharmacists
continue to expand their scope
of practice, it is important that
they contribute to the public�s
overall health by reducing the
circulation of infectious diseases
such as influenza. Administration of the influenza vaccine by
pharmacists is a crucial way of
increasing immunization rates in
Ontario, and the public response
encourages continuation of this
service.
Sony Poulose is a community clinical pharmacist specializing in diabetes care and immunization programs. Poulose obtained his Doctor Pharmacy from University of Florida. He is actively involved in community pharmacy research and published several papers in peerreviewed journals. He is a pharmacist preceptor for advanced pharmacy practice experience program for Doctor of Pharmacy of University of Toronto. He is a recipient of Ontario Pharmacists Association’s “Exceptional Achievement in Research and Academia” award in 2015. He also received “Bowl of Hygeia” award from Ontario Pharmacists Association in 2014.
E-mail: spoulose01@gmail.com