European Pharmaceutical Students’Association
Position Paper Pharmacist-delivered Vaccination
June 2015
European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association
Executive Summary
European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (EPSA) believes that as future healthcare professionals we should strive to increase the immunisation rate in Europe. We are in favour of the participation of the pharmacists in the vaccination for the maintenance of the public health, as this is in accordance with various European recommendations and guidelines. Our main goal is to increase the immunisation coverage and access to vaccination. EPSA is an independent, non-profit European organisation committed to the interests of pharmacy students and the benefit of better healthcare society. EPSA represents over 160 000 pharmacy students in 34 European countries through 41 member associations. EPSA exists to bring pharmacy, knowledge and students together.
Introduction
Common flu or influenza is an infection caused by a virus that is transmitted easily from a person to person via droplets and small particles produced when infected people cough or sneeze. Influenza tends to spread rapidly during seasonal epidemics. Most infected people recover within one to two weeks without requiring medical treatment. In the most serious cases, influenza is associated with possible fatal complications, such as bacterial pneumonia and dehydration. Flu accounts for 40,000 recorded premature deaths in Europe each year. [1]
The European Commission (EC) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) support the initiatives for communication, education, training and information exchange related to seasonal influenza
[2]
. A Recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination
[3]
,
adopted by the European Council in 2009, encouraged the increase of the vaccination coverage of older age groups, preferably to reach a target of 75% coverage by the winter of 2014-15. It recommended that the target should, if possible, be extended to the risk groups of people with various chronic conditions. Member States of the European Union were also encouraged to improve vaccination coverage amongst healthcare workers [3].
Almost all EU Member States reported having national and/or regional vaccination policies or strategies in place for seasonal influenza. Eighteen countries were able to provide vaccination coverage data for the older age groups for the 2011–2012 influenza season. Only one country
EPSA, Rue du Luxembourg 19, bte.6, 1000 Brussels, Belgium E-mail: info@epsa-online.org | Website: http://www.epsa-online.org
European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association
(the Netherlands) meets or exceeds the 75% threshold included in the Recommendation for the cohort of older age groups. The United Kingdom is close to the threshold, reaching 74%. Amongst other countries reporting coverage data, the percentages range from 1.7% to 64.1%. The trend data on this population shows no discernible momentum towards increasing coverage rates in most countries. In a number of countries, there have actually been declines in coverage amongst this population since the 2009 pandemic. [2]
Pharmacist-delivered vaccination has already been implemented in numerous countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom (2002), Portugal (2007), Ireland (2011), and also outside Europe, examples being United States (1995 – generalised in 2009) and Australia (2014).There is no doubt about the efficiency of these measures; pharmacist-delivered vaccination has led to a global rise in anti-flu vaccination, examples being the UK and Ireland where 20 and 23 %, respectively, of the patients receiving pharmacist-delivered vaccination were vaccinated for the first time. [4][5]
In the UK, patients filled out a survey during the pilot project. 19% of the patients stated that they would not take the vaccination if it was not delivered by pharmacists. Pharmacist-delivered vaccination was considered more convenient, mainly because there is no need for an appointment and the waiting time is decreased. 99% of the patients were satisfied with the service. [4]
Pharmacists have numerous roles in the primary care. As stated in the Guidelines issued by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO)
[6]
,
pharmacists should, among other roles, have an educator, facilitator and immuniser role, thus contributing to the prevention of diseases through participation in vaccination programmes, by ensuring vaccination coverage and by also ensuring vaccine safety.
In addition, the European Council encourages the further increase of the activities aimed at expanding, where necessary, the immunology and vaccinology components of the basic medical training curricula for students of medical and health sciences and provide health professionals with relevant in-service training opportunities [7].
EPSA, Rue du Luxembourg 19, bte.6, 1000 Brussels, Belgium E-mail: info@epsa-online.org | Website: http://www.epsa-online.org
European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association
Statement of opinion
European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (EPSA) encourages the pharmacist-delivered vaccination. As future healthcare professionals, we believe that such activity would help to increase the immunisation coverage and to reduce the number of deaths. Based on the epidemiological data and positive experience from some countries, EPSA supports expanding the practice in other European countries, as it is in line with the EC, ECDC and FIP/WHO recommendations. Our main goal is to increase the immunisation coverage and access to vaccination. We believe, however, that such activity would only be beneficial for the patients if it is done in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. It is our common objective to ensure the well-being of the patients and we should strive for it together. Pharmacists providing vaccination should nevertheless undergo an appropriate training to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of the service.
EPSA, Rue du Luxembourg 19, bte.6, 1000 Brussels, Belgium E-mail: info@epsa-online.org | Website: http://www.epsa-online.org
European Pharmaceutical Students’ Association
References
[1] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Influenza remains a threat. [Online]. Available from http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/seasonal_influenza/key_messages/Pages/key_messages_2.aspx [Accessed April 2015].
[2] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Implementation of the Council Recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination (2009/1019/EU). Stockholm: ECDC;2014.
[3] Council Recommendation of 22 December 2009 on seasonal influenza vaccination (Text with EEA relevance). OJ L 348, 29.12.2009, p. 71–72.
[4] NHS Sheffield. NHS Sheffield Community Pharmacy Seasonal Flu Vaccination Programme for hard to reach at risk groups 2012-13 (and catch up campaign for over 65s). Service Evaluation. [Online]. Available from: http://psnc.org.uk/sheffieldlpc/wp-content/uploads/sites/79/2013/06/I-Evaluation-of-Pharmacy-Flu-Service-2012-13-1.pdf [Accessed April 2015].
[5] Logan P. Pharmacy influenza vaccination service continues to grow. Ireland’s Official Pharmacy Publication Review. [Online] 2015;(18-19) Available from: http://ipu.ie/images/stories/publications/IPU_Review/IPU%20Review%20MAY%202014.pdf [Accessed April 2015].
[6] International Pharmaceutical Federation and World Health Organization. Joint FIP/WHO guidelines on good pharmacy practice: standards for quality of pharmacy services. WHO Technical Report Series, No. 961, 2011. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2011 [Online]. Available from: http://www.fip.org/www/uploads/database_file.php?id=331&table_id= [Accessed April 2015].
[7] Council of the European Union. Council conclusions on vaccinations as an effective tool in public health. 15090/14 SAN 418 PHARM 84 [Online]. Available from: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/lsa/145973.pdf [Accessed April 2015]
EPSA, Rue du Luxembourg 19, bte.6, 1000 Brussels, Belgium E-mail: info@epsa-online.org | Website: http://www.epsa-online.org