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Vaccine
Article in Press, Uncorrected Proof - Note to users
doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.08.051 | How to Cite or Link Using DOI
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Pharmacists as providers: Targeting pneumococcal vaccinations to high risk populations
Michael Taitela, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Ed Cohenb, 1, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Ian Duncanc, 2, E-mail The Corresponding Author and Cheryl Pegusd, 3, E-mail The Corresponding Author
a Health Outcomes & Analytics, Walgreens Co., 1415 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015, MS#L 444, United States
b Pharmacy Services, Immunization Clinical Services, Walgreens Co., 302 Wilmot Rd., Deerfield, IL 60015, United States
c Clinical Outcomes & Analytic Services, Walgreens Co., 1415 Lake Cook Rd., MS L444, Deerfield, IL 60015, United States
d Walgreen Co., Eight Tower Bridge, 161 Washington Street #1400, Conshohocken, PA 19428, United States
Received 29 April 2011;
revised 21 July 2011;
accepted 8 August 2011.
Available online 22 August 2011.
Abstract
Background
Older adults and persons with chronic conditions are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease. Severe pneumococcal disease represents a substantial humanistic and economic burden to society. Although pneumococcal vaccination (PPSV) can decrease risk for serious consequences, vaccination rates are suboptimal. As more people seek annual influenza vaccinations at community pharmacies, pharmacists have the ability to identify at-risk patients and provide PPSV.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacists educating at-risk patients on the importance of receiving a pneumococcal vaccination.
Methods
Using de-identified claims from a large, national pharmacy chain, all patients who had received an influenza vaccination between August 1, 2010 and November 14, 2010 and who were eligible for PPSV were identified for the analysis. Based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations, at-risk patients were identified as over 65 years of age or as aged 2?64 with a comorbid conditions. A benchmark medical and pharmacy claims database of commercial and Medicare health plan members was used to derive a PPSV vaccination rate typical of traditional care delivery to compare to pharmacy-based vaccination. Period incidence of PPSV was calculated and compared.
Results
Among the 1.3 million at-risk patients who were vaccinated by a pharmacist during the study period, 65,598 (4.88%) also received a pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccination rate was significantly higher than the benchmark rate of 2.90% (34,917/1,204,104; p < .001) representing traditional care. Patients aged 60?70 years had the highest vaccination rate (6.60%; 26,430/400,454) of any age group.
Conclusions
Pharmacists were successful at identifying at-risk patients and providing additional immunization services. Concurrent immunization of PPSV with influenza vaccination by pharmacists has potential to improve PPSV coverage. These results support the expanding role of community pharmacists in the provision of wellness and prevention services.
Highlights
► Pharmacists providing seasonal flu vaccinations identified patients in need of PPSV. ► Pharmacists were especially effective at reaching at-risk persons aged 60?70 years. ► We used pharmacy data and a national claims database to compare PPSV coverage. ► Pharmacies had significantly higher PPSV coverage than a traditional care benchmark.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X11012928
Article in Press, Uncorrected Proof - Note to users
doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.08.051 | How to Cite or Link Using DOI
Permissions & Reprints
Pharmacists as providers: Targeting pneumococcal vaccinations to high risk populations
Michael Taitela, Corresponding Author Contact Information, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Ed Cohenb, 1, E-mail The Corresponding Author, Ian Duncanc, 2, E-mail The Corresponding Author and Cheryl Pegusd, 3, E-mail The Corresponding Author
a Health Outcomes & Analytics, Walgreens Co., 1415 Lake Cook Road, Deerfield, IL 60015, MS#L 444, United States
b Pharmacy Services, Immunization Clinical Services, Walgreens Co., 302 Wilmot Rd., Deerfield, IL 60015, United States
c Clinical Outcomes & Analytic Services, Walgreens Co., 1415 Lake Cook Rd., MS L444, Deerfield, IL 60015, United States
d Walgreen Co., Eight Tower Bridge, 161 Washington Street #1400, Conshohocken, PA 19428, United States
Received 29 April 2011;
revised 21 July 2011;
accepted 8 August 2011.
Available online 22 August 2011.
Abstract
Background
Older adults and persons with chronic conditions are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease. Severe pneumococcal disease represents a substantial humanistic and economic burden to society. Although pneumococcal vaccination (PPSV) can decrease risk for serious consequences, vaccination rates are suboptimal. As more people seek annual influenza vaccinations at community pharmacies, pharmacists have the ability to identify at-risk patients and provide PPSV.
Objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacists educating at-risk patients on the importance of receiving a pneumococcal vaccination.
Methods
Using de-identified claims from a large, national pharmacy chain, all patients who had received an influenza vaccination between August 1, 2010 and November 14, 2010 and who were eligible for PPSV were identified for the analysis. Based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations, at-risk patients were identified as over 65 years of age or as aged 2?64 with a comorbid conditions. A benchmark medical and pharmacy claims database of commercial and Medicare health plan members was used to derive a PPSV vaccination rate typical of traditional care delivery to compare to pharmacy-based vaccination. Period incidence of PPSV was calculated and compared.
Results
Among the 1.3 million at-risk patients who were vaccinated by a pharmacist during the study period, 65,598 (4.88%) also received a pneumococcal vaccine. This vaccination rate was significantly higher than the benchmark rate of 2.90% (34,917/1,204,104; p < .001) representing traditional care. Patients aged 60?70 years had the highest vaccination rate (6.60%; 26,430/400,454) of any age group.
Conclusions
Pharmacists were successful at identifying at-risk patients and providing additional immunization services. Concurrent immunization of PPSV with influenza vaccination by pharmacists has potential to improve PPSV coverage. These results support the expanding role of community pharmacists in the provision of wellness and prevention services.
Highlights
► Pharmacists providing seasonal flu vaccinations identified patients in need of PPSV. ► Pharmacists were especially effective at reaching at-risk persons aged 60?70 years. ► We used pharmacy data and a national claims database to compare PPSV coverage. ► Pharmacies had significantly higher PPSV coverage than a traditional care benchmark.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X11012928