Launching a Novel Program to Improve Pharmacist-Led Immunization Among Older Adults and in Communities With Health Disparities: The Advancing Pharmacist Immunization Initiative.

Abstract

Background In the United States, pharmacist-administered immunization is associated with increased rates of vaccination. But older adults may reside in long-term care settings not served by the community pharmacies associated with immunization gains. This descriptive summary of the Advancing Pharmacist Immunization Initiative (APII) presents an overview of our efforts to advance pharmacist-led immunization among older adults, including those in long-term care sites in communities with health disparities, through pharmacist education and outreach activities. Setting Communities with high and very high Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index (CVAC) scores, including those in longterm care, in a pilot region in the United States. Methods Through pharmacist education and community outreach, the APII seeks to advance pharmacist-led immunization practices. Guided by our Subject Matter Experts and Technical Expert Panel, we seek to improve pharmacist vaccine administration and advocacy nationally and improve trust and confidence in vaccines in the community. Our initial steps have focused on identifying a pilot region to test our strategies, as we prepare to scale up in subsequent years. The Institutional Review Board of the American Institutes for Research has determined that the research reported in this paper is exempt, IRB00000436 / FWA00003952. Results Based on an environmental scan, the San Antonio, Texas region was chosen as the APII pilot region; it met the criteria of high or very high SVI (0.83-very high) and CVAC (0.87-very high), 12.1% of the population is at least 65 years of age, with older adult vaccination rates below the 2021 national average for pneumococcal disease and influenza. We launched a national pharmacist education program, which showed increases in pharmacist knowledge and confidence in immunization. Conclusion Immunization reduces preventable morbidity and mortality, but it is underused. Pharmacist education could help meet access or information needs, especially since disparities in immunization and health outcomes vary geographically. By identifying communities of older adults in need of pharmacist-led immunization, and offering outreach, our program may help advance immunization.