Establishing an education framework for pharmacist-led vaccination services

Abstract

Pharmacist-led vaccination services implemented in several countries are proving to be a paradigm shift in improving vaccination rates across the globe. The aims of this study were to identify pharmacy students’, pharmacists’ and patients’ perspectives of pharmacist-led vaccination services and to compile and validate an education framework aimed at pharmacy schools in Europe, for the advancement of pharmacist-led vaccination services. Three self-administered questionnaires were compiled, validated and distributed to pharmacy students, pharmacists and patients, respectively. An education framework was compiled and this proposed framework was validated through a Delphi Method amongst a sample of European pharmacy educators. The perception of pharmacy students, pharmacists and patients on pharmacist-led vaccination services and a validated education framework applicable for European countries were the outcomes of this study. Fourteen students (N=16) feel confident to provide vaccination services after completing a training programme, 48 pharmacists (N=62) are willing to administer vaccines given that they attend a vaccination training programme, and 146 (N=163) patients trust the pharmacist to administer the influenza vaccine, given that pharmacists are trained within this field. An education framework was compiled, outlining the following aspects of pharmacist-led vaccination services; regulatory aspects, national guidelines, responding to patient needs, vaccine handling and storage, preparation and reconstitution of vaccines, administration of vaccines and documentation practices. Six participants who filled in the validation document gave an overall positive opinion on the Education framework proposed with a few suggestions which were taken on as amendments, leading to a finalized education framework. The validated education framework can be used by pharmacy schools to include vaccination preparation and administration training in their curricula, serving as a basis to implement pharmacist-led vaccination services.