ResearchInfluenza vaccination rates among pharmacists
Section snippets
Objectives
Because little is known about influenza coverage among the general pharmacist population, we distributed an anonymous survey to quantify influenza vaccination rates among pharmacists from different practice settings. We also sought to identify obstacles to vaccination.
Methods
This study was approved by the University of Texas at Austin Institutional Review Board. Pharmacists were invited to complete the survey using two methods: (1) a survey request (i.e., informational cover letter with survey link) was distributed manually at the 2008 National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) annual meeting, and (2) an e-mail was sent to pharmacists with unique e-mail addresses who receive e-mails via Pharmacist e-link (∼24,000–26,000 unique e-mail addresses). Pharmacist
Results
Overall, 1,028 (∼5%) individuals completed the survey, including 895 pharmacists. Pharmacists resided in 48 states, Iraq, and Puerto Rico. The majority of pharmacists had earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (68%). Pharmacists had a median age of 49 years (range 23–87) and one-half were men (54%). Practice settings included community (60%), hospital (15%), academia (9%), clinic (4%), industry (2%), and other settings (10%). The majority of pharmacists (86%) reported patient contact, and 38% of
Discussion
To our knowledge, this is the first national study to examine vaccination rates among pharmacists from various practice settings. Regarding the distribution of survey respondents, our distribution mirrors that of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Our respondents compare favorably to the U.S. workforce, as determined by BLS: 64% community pharmacists, 23% hospital pharmacists, and less than 1% academic pharmacists.8 Currently, the only other national study to examine influenza
Limitations
Our population consisted predominantly of community pharmacists with less representation from hospital, clinic, or academic pharmacists. Based on the relationship between Pharmacist e-link and NCPA, we expected high community pharmacy representation and a response of at least 10%; however, only 5% of Pharmacist e-link subscribers responded. The use of Pharmacist e-link to distribute the survey request could have affected study outcomes because it is a for-profit entity and its surveys are not
Conclusion
Despite slight variability among practice settings, pharmacists reported greater vaccination rates than other health professionals or the general public. Significant improvements in influenza vaccination rates were observed when employer incentives were in place; however, coverage was blunted when issues regarding the influenza vaccine were expressed. Community pharmacists were less likely to receive employer incentives for vaccination and more likely to express one or more concerns
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Disclosure: The authors declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests in any product or service mentioned in this article, including grants, employment, gifts, stock holdings, or honoraria.
Acknowledgments: To Jennifer Saenz for clerical support, Kristi Traugott for editing and critiquing the manuscript, and Oakdell Pharmacy and the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy for financial support.
Funding: Oakdell Pharmacy and the University of Texas at Austin.
Previous presentation: American Pharmacist Association Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, April 3–6, 2009.