Anna Larson, Rachel Mitrovich, Isabel Musse, Aimee J Lansdale, Amanda L Eiden
{"title":"Expanding the role of pharmacists as vaccinators in New Zealand: a retrospective analysis of influenza vaccination trends following policy change.","authors":"Anna Larson, Rachel Mitrovich, Isabel Musse, Aimee J Lansdale, Amanda L Eiden","doi":"10.1093/ijpp/riag102","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Pharmacy-based influenza vaccination became part of New Zealand's public vaccination programme in 2017, eliminating out-of-pocket costs to consumers. This study evaluated trends in pharmacy-based influenza vaccination among adults aged ≥65 in New Zealand following the 2017 funding policy change, with the aim of examining whether the availability of government-funded influenza vaccination increased pharmacy-based vaccination in this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data on influenza vaccinations administered between 2015 and 2021 to adults ≥65 were provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Health from the National Immunisation Register. Descriptive analyses were employed to assess the absolute number and percentage of vaccinations given by each provider type from 2015 through 2021 to document trends after the public funding policy change and in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Key findings: </strong>The total number of influenza vaccinations administered increased from 322 161 in 2015 to 525 769 in 2021. After public funding for influenza vaccination began in pharmacies, annual physician- and nurse-administered vaccinations ranged from 401 840 to 426 005 and 12 590 to 19 586, respectively, between 2018 and 2021, while pharmacist-administered vaccinations steadily increased from 16 042 to 96 343. The percentage of influenza vaccinations administered by pharmacists grew from nearly 0% in 2015 to 3.7% in 2018 and 18.3% in 2021.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Research findings suggest that public funding for pharmacist-administered influenza vaccinations contributed to expanding overall influenza vaccine access in New Zealand among adults ≥65. In addition, the increase in pharmacist-delivered vaccinations did not negatively impact vaccinations administered by traditional providers, further demonstrating the value and growing role of pharmacies in advancing national immunization efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":14284,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Pharmacy Practice","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riag102","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: Pharmacy-based influenza vaccination became part of New Zealand's public vaccination programme in 2017, eliminating out-of-pocket costs to consumers. This study evaluated trends in pharmacy-based influenza vaccination among adults aged ≥65 in New Zealand following the 2017 funding policy change, with the aim of examining whether the availability of government-funded influenza vaccination increased pharmacy-based vaccination in this population.
Methods: Data on influenza vaccinations administered between 2015 and 2021 to adults ≥65 were provided by the New Zealand Ministry of Health from the National Immunisation Register. Descriptive analyses were employed to assess the absolute number and percentage of vaccinations given by each provider type from 2015 through 2021 to document trends after the public funding policy change and in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key findings: The total number of influenza vaccinations administered increased from 322 161 in 2015 to 525 769 in 2021. After public funding for influenza vaccination began in pharmacies, annual physician- and nurse-administered vaccinations ranged from 401 840 to 426 005 and 12 590 to 19 586, respectively, between 2018 and 2021, while pharmacist-administered vaccinations steadily increased from 16 042 to 96 343. The percentage of influenza vaccinations administered by pharmacists grew from nearly 0% in 2015 to 3.7% in 2018 and 18.3% in 2021.
Conclusions: Research findings suggest that public funding for pharmacist-administered influenza vaccinations contributed to expanding overall influenza vaccine access in New Zealand among adults ≥65. In addition, the increase in pharmacist-delivered vaccinations did not negatively impact vaccinations administered by traditional providers, further demonstrating the value and growing role of pharmacies in advancing national immunization efforts.
期刊介绍：
The International Journal of Pharmacy Practice (IJPP) is a Medline-indexed, peer reviewed, international journal. It is one of the leading journals publishing health services research in the context of pharmacy, pharmaceutical care, medicines and medicines management. Regular sections in the journal include, editorials, literature reviews, original research, personal opinion and short communications. Topics covered include: medicines utilisation, medicine management, medicines distribution, supply and administration, pharmaceutical services, professional and patient/lay perspectives, public health (including, e.g. health promotion, needs assessment, health protection) evidence based practice, pharmacy education. Methods include both evaluative and exploratory work including, randomised controlled trials, surveys, epidemiological approaches, case studies, observational studies, and qualitative methods such as interviews and focus groups. Application of methods drawn from other disciplines e.g. psychology, health economics, morbidity are especially welcome as are developments of new methodologies.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
