Uptake and outcomes of VaxCheck, an adult life-course vaccination service: A study among community pharmacists

• Published in: Vaccine 2024-08, Vol.42 (20), p.126096, Article 126096
• Main Authors: Houle, Sherilyn K.D., Waite, Nancy M., Vernon-Wilson, Elizabeth, Dolovich, Lisa, Yang, Molly
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines; Decision making; Diphtheria; Drug stores; Health risks; Herpes zoster; Immunization; Immunization Community pharmacy; Pharmacist; Pharmacists; Public health; Risk factors; Tetanus; Vaccination; Vaccines
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.06.063

Vaccination rates among Canadian adults remain suboptimal. Community pharmacists have increasingly adopted an active role in vaccination and are trusted by the public to provide vaccination-related advice and care. The aim of this prospective descriptive study was to develop and test a novel clinical service, VaxCheck, to support proactive life-course vaccination assessments by community pharmacists. From October 2022-May 2023, 123 VaxCheck consultations were performed at 9 community pharmacies within the Wholehealth Pharmacy Partners banner in Ontario, Canada. Patient age averaged 60 years and 35.8 % had at least one chronic disease risk factor, 17.7 % had lifestyle-related risk factor(s), and 15.4 % were immunocompromised. 95.1 % of VaxCheck consultations resulted in at least one vaccine recommendation, averaging three vaccines per patient. Most frequently recommended vaccines were those against pneumococcal disease, tetanus/diphtheria, herpes zoster, COVID-19, and influenza, with acceptance rates highest for those available without a prescription and at no charge at the pharmacy. Patient feedback was positive with 85 % of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that they would recommend the service to others. Vaccine administration at the time of the consultation occurred with only 5.9 % of recommended vaccines, frequently impacted by limitations to scope of practice related to pharmacist ability to prescribe and/or administer the vaccine and lack of pharmacy access to publicly funded vaccine supply for those meeting eligibility criteria. Community pharmacists performing a VaxCheck consultation can proactively identify indicated vaccines for patients. Expansion in scope of practice and access to publicly funded vaccine is recommended to further support vaccine uptake.