Thomas J Fitzgerald1, Yoonjae Kang2, Carolyn B Bridges2, Todd Talbert3, Sara J Vagi3, Brock Lamont2, Samuel B Graitcer2. 1. IHRC, Inc, Atlanta, GA, United States; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, United States; Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States. Electronic address: ymi8@cdc.gov. 2. Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States. 3. Division of State and Local Readiness, Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During an influenza pandemic, to achieve early and rapid vaccination coverage and maximize the benefit of an immunization campaign, partnerships between public health agencies and vaccine providers are essential. Immunizing pharmacists represent an important group for expanding access to pandemic vaccination. However, little is known about nationwide coordination between public health programs and pharmacies for pandemic vaccine response planning. METHODS: To assess relationships and planning activities between public health programs and pharmacies, we analyzed data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assessments of jurisdictions that received immunization and emergency preparedness funding from 2012 to 2015. RESULTS: Forty-seven (88.7%) of 53 jurisdictions reported including pharmacies in pandemic vaccine distribution plans, 24 (45.3%) had processes to recruit pharmacists to vaccinate, and 16 (30.8%) of 52 established formal relationships with pharmacies. Most jurisdictions plan to allocate less than 10% of pandemic vaccine supply to pharmacies. DISCUSSION: While most jurisdictions plan to include pharmacies as pandemic vaccine providers, work is needed to establish formalized agreements between public health departments and pharmacies to improve pandemic preparedness coordination and ensure that vaccinating pharmacists are fully utilized during a pandemic.
BACKGROUND: During an influenza pandemic, to achieve early and rapid vaccination coverage and maximize the benefit of an immunization campaign, partnerships between public health agencies and vaccine providers are essential. Immunizing pharmacists represent an important group for expanding access to pandemic vaccination. However, little is known about nationwide coordination between public health programs and pharmacies for pandemic vaccine response planning. METHODS: To assess relationships and planning activities between public health programs and pharmacies, we analyzed data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assessments of jurisdictions that received immunization and emergency preparedness funding from 2012 to 2015. RESULTS: Forty-seven (88.7%) of 53 jurisdictions reported including pharmacies in pandemic vaccine distribution plans, 24 (45.3%) had processes to recruit pharmacists to vaccinate, and 16 (30.8%) of 52 established formal relationships with pharmacies. Most jurisdictions plan to allocate less than 10% of pandemic vaccine supply to pharmacies. DISCUSSION: While most jurisdictions plan to include pharmacies as pandemic vaccine providers, work is needed to establish formalized agreements between public health departments and pharmacies to improve pandemic preparedness coordination and ensure that vaccinating pharmacists are fully utilized during a pandemic.
Authors: Andy Stergachis; Lisa Garberson; Onora Lien; Luann D'Ambrosio; Laura Sangaré; Cynthia Dold Journal: Disaster Med Public Health Prep Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 1.385
Authors: Lisa M Koonin; Denise R Beauvais; Tom Shimabukuro; Pascale M Wortley; Jane B Palmier; Toscha R Stanley; John Theofilos; Toby L Merlin Journal: Disaster Med Public Health Prep Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 1.385
Authors: Lauren Walsh; Italo Subbarao; Kristine Gebbie; Kenneth W Schor; Jim Lyznicki; Kandra Strauss-Riggs; Arthur Cooper; Edbert B Hsu; Richard V King; John A Mitas; John Hick; Rebecca Zukowski; Brian A Altman; Ruth Anne Steinbrecher; James J James Journal: Disaster Med Public Health Prep Date: 2012-03 Impact factor: 1.385
Authors: Craig A Pedersen; Bruce R Canaday; William M Ellis; Elizabeth K Keyes; Adele Pietrantoni; Mitchel C Rothholz; Charles C Thomas; Theodore G Tong; Lisa L Tonrey; Timothy L Tucker Journal: J Am Pharm Assoc (2003) Date: 2003 Nov-Dec
Authors: Matthew Biggerstaff; Carrie Reed; David L Swerdlow; Manoj Gambhir; Samuel Graitcer; Lyn Finelli; Rebekah H Borse; Sonja A Rasmussen; Martin I Meltzer; Carolyn B Bridges Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2015-05-01 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Diane Meyer; Matthew P Shearer; Yi-Chien Chih; Yu-Chen Hsu; Yung-Ching Lin; Jennifer B Nuzzo Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2018-09 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Thomas J Fitzgerald; Danielle L Moulia; Samuel B Graitcer; Sara J Vagi; Stephanie A Dopson Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2017-09 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Sarah M Bartsch; Michael S Taitel; Jay V DePasse; Sarah N Cox; Renae L Smith-Ray; Patrick Wedlock; Tanya G Singh; Susan Carr; Sheryl S Siegmund; Bruce Y Lee Journal: Vaccine Date: 2018-10-16 Impact factor: 3.641