Immunization Rates and Barriers to Influenza Vaccine Access in the Community Pharmacy

Abstract

Objective: Healthy People 2020 objectives include increasing the percentage of children and adults who are vaccinated annually against seasonal influenza. In Puerto Rico, 1.6 million people have the health plan provided by the government. Government health insurance provides coverage for influenza vaccine with a {$}0 copayment. However, during the 2012-13 influenza season, only 10{%} of the government health insurance population was vaccinated. During the 2013-14 influenza season the goal of the Department of Health is to vaccinate 200,000 people against influenza before December 2013. The aim of this study is to determine the influenza immunization rate of the government health insurance population in a community pharmacy. A secondary outcome is to assess the factors that influence access to the influenza vaccine in Puerto Rico. Methods: This descriptive study will be conducted in the community pharmacy setting. A sample of patients who visit the community pharmacy and are beneficiaries of the government health insurance (Mi Salud) will be assessed. Data will be collected using a structured questionnaire based on patients' selfreported information. The information provided by patients will be confirmed using the Puerto Rico Immunization Registry. Age, sex, socioeconomic status, highest scholarly degree reached, and previous influenza immunization experience will be assessed variables. The primary outcome is influenza immunization for current season. The secondary outcome to be evaluated will be reasons for not becoming immunized against influenza this season such as: allergy to chicken eggs, history of Guillain-Barr{é} syndrome, moderate to severe illness with fever, a history of severe reaction to flu vaccine, cost, fear of needles, beliefs, adverse effects, and other reasons that patients report. Data analysis will be using descriptive statistics.