title: Impact of pharmacists as immunizers on influenza vaccination coverage in Nova Scotia, Canada.
abstract: Immunization coverage in Canada has continued to fall below national goals. The addition of pharmacists as immunizers may increase immunization coverage. This study aimed to compare estimated influenza vaccine coverage before and after pharmacists began administering publicly funded influenza immunizations in Nova Scotia, Canada. Vaccination coverage rates and recipient demographics for the influenza vaccination seasons 2010-2011 to 2012-2013 were compared with the 2013-2014 season, the first year pharmacists provided immunizations. In 2013-2014, the vaccination coverage rate for those ≥5 years of age increased 6%, from 36% in 2012-2013 to 42% (p<0.001). Pharmacists administered over 78,000 influenza vaccinations, nearly 9% of the province's population over the age of five. Influenza vaccine coverage rates for those ≥65 increased by 9.8% (p<0.001) in 2013-2014 compared to 2012-2013. Influenza vaccination coverage in Nova Scotia increased in 2013-2014 compared to previous years with a universal influenza program. Various factors may have contributed to the increased coverage, including the addition of pharmacists as immunizers and media coverage of influenza related fatalities. Future research will be necessary to fully determine the impact of pharmacists as immunizers.
authors: a College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|b Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, and Nova Scotia Health Authority , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|c Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.
authors: Jennifer E
authors: JE
authors: Isenor
authors: d Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia.
authors: Tania A
authors: TA
authors: Alia
authors: a College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.
authors: Jessica L
authors: JL
authors: Killen
authors: e Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness , Halifax , Nova Scotia.
authors: Beverly A
authors: BA
authors: Billard
authors: b Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, and Nova Scotia Health Authority , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|c Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|f School of Nursing, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.
authors: Beth A
authors: BA
authors: Halperin
authors: a College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|b Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, and Nova Scotia Health Authority , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|c Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|g IWK Health Centre , Halifax , Nova Scotia.
authors: Kathryn L
authors: KL
authors: Slayter
authors: b Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, and Nova Scotia Health Authority , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|c Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|h Department of Medicine , Nova Scotia Health Authority - Central Zone , Halifax , Nova Scotia.
authors: Shelly A
authors: SA
authors: McNeil
authors: b Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, and Nova Scotia Health Authority , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|i School of Nursing, St. Francis Xavier University , Antigonish , Nova Scotia.
authors: Donna
authors: D
authors: MacDougall
authors: a College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|b Canadian Center for Vaccinology, Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre, and Nova Scotia Health Authority , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|c Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|h Department of Medicine , Nova Scotia Health Authority - Central Zone , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|j Centre for Health Care for the Elderly, Nova Scotia Health Authority , Halifax , Nova Scotia.|k Department of Pharmacy , Nova Scotia Health Authority - Central Zone , Halifax , Nova Scotia.
authors: Susan K
authors: SK
authors: Bowles
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009674:Nova Scotia; D010595:Pharmacists; D011634:Public Health; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Canada; immunization; influenza vaccination; pharmaceutical services; pharmacist; vaccine coverage