Vaccination
Data project
Objectives This study evaluated the uptake of Western Australian (WA) pharmacist vaccination services, the profiles of consumers being vaccinated and the facilitators and challenges experienced by pharmacy staff in the preparation, implementation and delivery of services. Design Mixed-methods methodology with both quantitative and qualitative data through surveys, pharmacy computer records and immuniser pharmacist interviews. Setting Community pharmacies in WA that provided pharmacist vaccination services between March and October 2015. Participants Immuniser pharmacists from 86 pharmacies completed baseline surveys and 78 completed exit surveys; computer records from 57 pharmacies; 25 immuniser pharmacists were interviewed. Main outcome measures Pharmacy and immuniser pharmacist profiles; pharmacist vaccination services provided and consumer profiles who accessed services. Results 15 621 influenza vaccinations were administered by immuniser pharmacists at 76 WA community pharmacies between March and October 2015. There were no major adverse events, and <1% of consumers experienced minor events which were appropriately managed. Between 12% and 17% of consumers were eligible to receive free influenza vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program but chose to have it at a pharmacy. A high percentage of vaccinations was delivered in rural and regional areas indicating that provision of pharmacist vaccination services facilitated access for rural and remote consumers. Immuniser pharmacists reported feeling confident in providing vaccination services and were of the opinion that services should be expanded to other vaccinations. Pharmacists also reported significant professional satisfaction in providing the service. All participating pharmacies intended to continue providing influenza vaccinations in 2016. Conclusions This initial evaluation of WA pharmacist vaccination services showed that vaccine delivery was safe. Convenience and accessibility were important aspects in usage of services. There is scope to expand pharmacist vaccination services to other vaccines and younger children; however, government funding to pharmacists needs to be considered.
Objectives: To estimate hepatitis B vaccination (HBVc) coverage, and knowledge and socio-demographic determinants of full-dose uptake in Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) members, Kaduna State, Nigeria in order to inform relevant targeted vaccination policies. Design: A cross-sectional survey of FRSC members, Kaduna Sector Command. Settings: Six randomly-selected Unit Commands under Kaduna Sector Command, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Participants: Pilot-tested structured self-administered questionnaire was administered to 341 participants aged 18 years and above with ≥6 months of service between 17th June and 22nd July, 2015. Excluded were FRSC members in Road Safety (RS) 1 Zonal Command headquarters as the Zonal Command includes other States beyond the study scope. Primary Outcome: HBVc status of participants categorized as ‘not vaccinated’ for uptake of <3 doses and ‘vaccinated’ for uptake of ≥3 doses. Analysis: Descriptive analysis estimated HBVc coverage while logistic regression ascertained associations. Results: Most participants were males, aged 30-39 years, with 3-10 years of service, and of Marshal cadre. HBVc coverage was 60.9% for ≥1 dose and 30.5% for ≥3 doses. Less than 47% of participants scored above the mean knowledge score for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HBVc. Female sex (AOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.15-4.52, p<0.05), perceiving there to be an occupational risk of exposure to HBV (AOR 2.86, 95% CI 1.06-7.70, p<0.001), and increasing HBVc knowledge (AOR 2.68, 95% CI 1.83-3.92, p<0.001) were independent predictors of full-dose HBVc in FRSC members, Kaduna Sector Command. Conclusions: HBVc coverage and knowledge are poor among FRSC members, Kaduna Sector Command. Educational intervention, geared towards improving FRSC members’ knowledge of HBVc and perception of risk of occupational exposure to HBV, is recommended for these vulnerable public safety workers. Such enlightenment could be a cheap and easy way of improving HBVc coverage in the study population.
