Integrating Pharmacists Into Aged Care Vaccination: Strengthening Public Health Immunisation Systems Through the Aged Care on-Site Pharmacist Program (ACOP) in Australia

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q4 GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY

Australasian Journal on Ageing Pub Date : 2026-08-17 DOI:10.1111/ajag.70223

Jennifer White, Megan Vidler, Peter Murray, Amanda Fairjones, Bill Wallace, Carolyn Hullick, Sonya Ennis, Michelle Butler, David N. Durrheim

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

To examine system-level changes in influenza vaccination coverage in residential aged care homes (RACHs) following the introduction of the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist (ACOP) funding initiative, and to explore the experiences of RACH managers and pharmacist immunizers.

Methods

A convergent mixed methods study was conducted in the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), Australia. Publicly available Australian Immunization Register (AIR) influenza vaccination coverage data for RACH residents were compared at baseline (June 2024) and one-year post-ACOP implementation (August 2025). Semi-structured interviews with RACH managers (n = 10) and pharmacist immunizers (n = 12) explored experiences of vaccination delivery and ACOP implementation. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and integrated during interpretation.

Results

The proportion of RACHs achieving ≥ 80% influenza vaccination coverage increased from 29% in 2024 to 64% in 2025. However, attribution to ACOP alone was not possible, and variability in implementation was evident. Five key themes were identified in the semi-structured interviews: (1) strengthening partnerships to improve vaccination in aged care, (2) enhancing workflow and vaccination through access to an on-site pharmacist, (3) overcoming operational and logistical barriers, (4) access to comprehensive data, and (5) funding issues impacts sustainability.

Conclusions

A system-level increase in influenza vaccination coverage occurred following introduction of funding to ACOPs providing immunization services in RACHs. Qualitative findings suggest embedded pharmacists may strengthen vaccination coordination, data monitoring, and multidisciplinary collaboration within aged care. Sustainable funding, role clarity and improved data systems are essential to maintain these gains.

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将药剂师纳入老年护理疫苗接种：通过澳大利亚老年护理现场药剂师计划（ACOP）加强公共卫生免疫系统。

目的：研究在引入老年护理现场药剂师（ACOP）资助计划后，住宅养老院（RACHs）流感疫苗接种覆盖率的系统层面变化，并探讨RACH管理人员和药剂师免疫接种人员的经验。方法：在澳大利亚亨特新英格兰地方卫生区（HNELHD）进行了一项收敛混合方法研究。在基线（2024年6月）和acop实施一年后（2025年8月），比较了RACH居民可公开获得的澳大利亚免疫登记（AIR）流感疫苗接种覆盖率数据。与RACH经理（n = 10）和药剂师免疫员（n = 12）的半结构化访谈探讨了疫苗接种和ACOP实施的经验。定量和定性数据在解释过程中分别分析和综合分析。结果：流感疫苗接种率达到≥80%的地区比例从2024年的29%上升到2025年的64%。然而，不可能将其单独归因于ACOP，而且执行方面的差异也很明显。在半结构化访谈中确定了五个关键主题：(1)加强伙伴关系以改善老年护理中的疫苗接种；(2)通过获得现场药剂师来改善工作流程和疫苗接种；(3)克服运营和后勤障碍；(4)获得综合数据；(5)资金问题影响可持续性。结论：在向在边远地区提供免疫服务的ACOPs提供资金后，流感疫苗接种覆盖率在系统层面有所提高。定性研究结果表明，嵌入式药剂师可以加强疫苗接种协调、数据监测和老年护理中的多学科合作。可持续供资、明确作用和改进数据系统对于保持这些成果至关重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Australasian Journal on Ageing 医学-老年医学

CiteScore

3.10

自引率

6.20%

发文量

114

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Australasian Journal on Ageing is a peer reviewed journal, which publishes original work in any area of gerontology and geriatric medicine. It welcomes international submissions, particularly from authors in the Asia Pacific region.