Pharmacist's role in influenza immunisation: a scoping review

Background

Community pharmacists have become flu vaccine immunisers in several countries to increase vaccine uptake.

Aim

This study aimed to perform a scoping review to evaluate the pharmacist's role and contribution to flu immunisation coverage, satisfaction and promotion as vaccine providers.

Design

The framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) were considered for this analysis. Two electronic databases (PubMed and Cochrane Library) were used to search for relevant peer-reviewed quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method studies published between 1990 and 2022.

Results

A total of 37 studies were included. These studies suggested that, over time, there was an increase in the rate of vaccine administration within community pharmacies across the various countries examined. Moreover, patients have consistently expressed their satisfaction with the convenience and accessibility of pharmacy-based vaccine services, with some expressing a preference for pharmacies over traditional visits to their general practitioner′s office.

Conclusion

Several initiatives aimed at promoting flu vaccination have been rolled out in pharmacy settings, and a number of these initiatives have demonstrated positive outcomes. The flu vaccination service provided by pharmacists has proven to be an asset in public health by improving accessibility to immunisation services. Pharmacists should continue to take part in yearly flu vaccination programs as flu vaccine providers as they contribute to an increased uptake of immunisations by the population. Extending these services to other vaccines should be further considered.