“Pharmacy Immunization Partnerships: a Rural Model” Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (www.aphanet.org) (01/01) Vol. 41, No. 1, P. 100; Rosenbluth, Sidney A.; Madhavan, S. Suresh; Borker, Rohit D.; et al.

In response to a request from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Pharmaceutical Association and the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy created a partnership to promote the role of the pharmacist in immunizing patients throughout the country.  The program is especially important in rural areas, where distance and access to providers is a major obstacle in immunization practices.  Called the Pharmacy Immunization Project (PIP), the program was for the most part a childhood immunization system developed in five contiguous rural counties.  Pharmacists in the PIP system provided immunizations in coordination with nurses throughout the year, unlike other medical providers who were not always available.  The program was promoted through direct mailings, posters, fliers, direct communication, and print, radio, and television advertisements.  Given the response from patients and participating pharmacists, as well as the success of the program, the PIP system appears to be adaptable to any type of area, from rural to urban.  Pharmacist and nurse training for the program is a two-class process, and the simple promotions were apparent to 50 percent of mothers after three years, according to a review of the project.  Importantly, while outside immunization promotions are generally not well accepted by rural people, promotions run by local pharmacists are much better trusted, and in any case pharmacists are visited more often than physicians by patients.  The extended hours at some pharmacies also improved responses, and many patients noted that Saturday hours would increase their participation as well.  Because PIP was a free service and many parents did not have insurance, the ability to receive vaccinations at no cost was greatly appreciated.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.