Pharmacists' role in increasing pneumococcal and influenza vaccination

Abstract

Purpose. The role of the pharmacist in increasing pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates and the clinical efficacy of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines are discussed. Summary. Institutional pharmacists often play key roles on multidisciplinary committees and have the opportunity to make preventive therapies, such as vaccination, a priority. Standing-order programs authorize health care professionals to screen for vaccine eligibility and contraindications, administer vaccines, and monitor for adverse effects when following a physician- or institution-approved protocol. Current vaccination levels for the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are suboptimal and well below the Healthy People 2010 goal of 90% of high-risk patients. Pharmacists should be familiar with the composition, immunogenicity, dosage, administration, efficacy, adverse reactions, contraindications, precautions, and cost-effectiveness of each vaccine, as well as with Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations and the supporting literature. Conclusion. Health-system pharmacists have the opportunity and responsibility to protect those at highest risk of pneumococcal disease and influenza through the use of standing-order vaccination programs. Copyright © 2005, American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. All rights reserved.