Community Pharmacists and Influenza Vaccination: Opportunities and Challenges From a Public Health Perspective.

Context: In Quebec, Bill 31, adopted on March 18, 2020, extended vaccination to pharmacists. Despite many advantages, this new practice comes with public health issues reinforced in the context of COVID-19. Therefore, it is essential to understand the opportunities and challenges of the participation of community pharmacists in influenza vaccination, from a public health perspective by (i) describing the year of 2020-2021 influenza vaccination offer, (ii) its opportunities and challenges, and (iii) its impact on the accessibility of this service newly offered by pharmacists to the most vulnerable people. Methods: This research is a case study from one of the most affected areas by COVID-19 in Canada: Laval. Our method combines documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews with health professionals and public health actors (n = 23). Researchers used a thematic analysis to analyze these results. Results: Most partners (pharmacists, public health administrators) underlined multiple opportunities of this new practice, ie, pharmacists who can vaccinate, particularly for chronically ill patients. However, structural and strategical challenges remain. More specifically, vaccination seemed to only rely on a "first come, first served" basis, which questions public health objectives of vaccination, such as equitable access. Conclusion: The introduction of new actors, such as pharmacists, represents a major opportunity to improve vaccination coverage and reduce the burden of COVID-19 on the health system. However, this delegation of a public health activity to the private sector undoubtedly requires closer coordination with public health institutions.

Assessment of community pharmacists' engagement in pharmacy-delivered influenza vaccination: a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify factors contributing to pharmacists' engagement in vaccination services during the first influenza vaccination campaign in 2019-2020 for the Canadian province of Quebec, led by community pharmacists. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted using a sequential exploratory design. Semi-structured interviews were administered to pharmacists and key informants (n = 23) and data were analysed according to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research in community pharmacy. The findings were then used to construct a survey of community pharmacists' engagement in vaccination, which was tested in a Quebec urban community. The study participation rate was 34.6% (n = 29). KEY FINDINGS: Pharmacists expressed positive attitudes towards the implementation of vaccination services, following legislative reform. Factors such as previous involvement in vaccination campaigns and the number of pharmacists on duty were positively associated with engagement in influenza vaccination, whereas staff shortages and logistical problems were a barrier to engagement. Qualitative findings provided in-depth understanding of the value of interprofessional collaboration between pharmacists and nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination in pharmacies is currently more reflective of individual choice than an indication of collective change in the profession. Logistical factors are key to enhancing the uptake of vaccination in community pharmacies throughout Quebec. External support from professional associations and interprofessional collaboration should be enhanced to promote the implementation of vaccination services in pharmacies.