The impact of pharmacist involvement on immunization uptake and other outcomes: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The underutilization of immunization services remains a significant public health concern. Pharmacists can address this concern by playing an active role in immunization administration.

Objective

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of pharmacist-involved interventions on immunization rates and other outcomes indirectly related to vaccine uptake.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted utilizing Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from inception until February 2022 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies in which pharmacists were involved in the immunization process. Studies were excluded if no comparator was reported. Two reviewers independently completed data extraction and bias assessments using standardized forms. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model.

Results

Fourteen RCTs and seventy-nine observational studies were included. Several types of immunizations were provided, including influenza, pneumococcal, herpes zoster, Tdap, and others in a variety of settings (community pharmacy, hospital, clinic, others). Pooled analyses from RCTs indicated that a pharmacist as immunizer (risk ratio (RR), 1.14, [95% CI, 1.12, 1.15]), advocator (RR, 1.31, [95% CI, 1.17, 1.48]) or both (RR, 1.14, [95% CI, 1.12, 1.15]) significantly increased immunization rates compared to usual care or non-pharmacist-involved interventions. The quality of evidence was assessed as moderate or low for those meta-analyses. Evidence from observational studies was consistent with the results found in the analysis of the RCTs.

Conclusion

Pharmacist involvement as immunizer, advocator, or both roles have favorable effects on immunization uptake, especially with influenza vaccines in the United States and some high-income countries. As the practice of pharmacists in immunization has been expanded globally, further research on investigating the impact of pharmacist involvement in immunization in other countries, especially developing ones, is warranted.

留言 (0)

沒有登入
gif