Background: In Estonia, seasonal influenza vaccination coverage is poor, being in recent years the lowest in the older age groups. In 2018 the flu vaccination was first provided at community pharmacies in Estonia. The aims of this study were to evaluate the experience of flu vaccination at community pharmacies by pharmacy customers and to learn about the perception of community pharmacists regarding the immunization service.
Method: Two cross-sectional surveys: among pharmacy customers after receiving flu vaccination (n = 257), and for pharmacy professionals (n = 209). Descriptive statistics were calculated in both studies.
Results: In the pharmacy customers` study, 54.9% received flu vaccination for the first time. Most of the respondents (96.8%) were satisfied with the quality of service. In both studies, community pharmacies were described as an accessible and convenient setting for immunization. Age and working experience of pharmacy professionals influenced the readiness to provide flu immunization, with younger pharmacists (<36 years) keener to be involved in vaccination services (p < 0.01).
Expert opinion: Increasing influenza vaccination in high-risk patient groups is crucial. The involvement of other healthcare professionals, such as community pharmacists, could be key to reaching these patient groups and improving access to vaccination services in general. The development of the pharmacy profession has also shifted from pharmaceutical product based to patient oriented approach with provision of more clinical services. This enables to use professional competency of pharmacists in healthcare more widely. Lack of resources (financial, healthcare professionals, etc.) and an aging population are driving new ways to deliver healthcare more efficiently with the pharmacist working with other healthcare providers taking greater responsibility for patient health outcomes.
Conclusion: Vaccination service at community pharmacy has a great potential to expand flu immunization coverage in Estonia. Despite on pharmacy professionals are not allowed to provide vaccination service at the moment, their contribution to increase public awareness about flu vaccination is significant.
Keywords: Estonia; Influenza; immunization; pharmacy; risk patients.