Abstract
Background
Pharmacist administered vaccinations (PAV) have been shown to be safe, accessible and to improve health outcomes both internationally and more recently in Australia. In February 2014, Minister Robyn Lambley announced “changes to the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act that would provide safe and easy access for Territorians to vaccines,” allowing pharmacists to administer certain vaccines to adults in their community pharmacies. A Northern Territory pharmacistled immunisation pilot (NT-PLIP) was established to investigate the benefits of suitably trained, registered pharmacists administering adult immunisations in the community pharmacy setting. This study reports on the evaluation of NT-PLIP, including accessibility, acceptability and safety of PAV to inform future pharmacist immunisation service delivery in the NT.
Methods
Quantitative data was obtained about each vaccine administered by pharmacists from pharmacy software. A questionnaire was administered post-vaccination at the service to determine reasons for accessing PAV and assess participant satisfaction with the service. Pharmacist vaccinators were asked to complete a
questionnaire about service delivery and feasibility. Pharmacists enrolled in the NT-PLIP were invited to complete an interview for feedback on strengths and
limitations of service delivery.
Pharmacist administered vaccinations (PAV) have been shown to be safe, accessible and to improve health outcomes both internationally and more recently in Australia. In February 2014, Minister Robyn Lambley announced “changes to the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act that would provide safe and easy access for Territorians to vaccines,” allowing pharmacists to administer certain vaccines to adults in their community pharmacies. A Northern Territory pharmacistled immunisation pilot (NT-PLIP) was established to investigate the benefits of suitably trained, registered pharmacists administering adult immunisations in the community pharmacy setting. This study reports on the evaluation of NT-PLIP, including accessibility, acceptability and safety of PAV to inform future pharmacist immunisation service delivery in the NT.
Methods
Quantitative data was obtained about each vaccine administered by pharmacists from pharmacy software. A questionnaire was administered post-vaccination at the service to determine reasons for accessing PAV and assess participant satisfaction with the service. Pharmacist vaccinators were asked to complete a
questionnaire about service delivery and feasibility. Pharmacists enrolled in the NT-PLIP were invited to complete an interview for feedback on strengths and
limitations of service delivery.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-7 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | NT Disease Control Bulletin |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2017 |
Keywords
- immunisation
- Northern Territory
- Pharmacist-led