(1137) A Comparison of Immunization Administration Rates Between Technician-administered and Pharmacist-administered Sites in the Community Pharmacy Setting

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of technician-administered vaccinations in a community pharmacy setting, including vaccine administration rates, when compared to locations utilizing pharmacists as the only immunizers. Vaccine coverage is a critical part of public health. The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated why access to vaccines and timely administration are important in not only mitigating the effects of disease but alleviating the burden on our healthcare system. Though vaccination rates and vaccine coverage has increased in recent years, many adults are not at full coverage according to Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act allowed for additional immunizers to aid in vaccination efforts. Many of those joining the ranks are pharmacy technicians under the supervision of a pharmacist. While this authorization from the PREP Act was given to pharmacy technicians nationwide, it was not utilized in all community pharmacies. The implementation of technician immunizers provides the basis for this study. Research on this topic has mostly surveyed perceived benefits of pharmacy technicians as immunizers with results showing perceived benefit to morale and improved workflow in the community pharmacy. This study aims to show changes in vaccination rates with the addition of technician immunizers.

Methods: A large community pharmacy chain in Arizona trained pharmacy technicians as immunizers for the first time in the fall of 2023. Pharmacy technicians were selected on a volunteer basis to take on the additional responsibility of administering vaccines. Approximately 50 technicians volunteered, each representing one pharmacy out of the 127 community pharmacies in the chain. Technicians were provided immunization and basic life support training and certifications.  

This is a pre-/post-study comparing the intervention group of community pharmacies with technician immunizers to the control group of pharmacies without technician immunizers. The study period is approximately three months prior to implementing technicians as immunizers and three months after. Dates of vaccine administration, number and type of vaccine given, and the immunizer title will be compared between pre- and post-intervention groups. The groups will be compared for the primary endpoint of percent change in vaccinations administered. Secondary endpoints will be percent change in vaccines administered by type and percent of vaccines administered by each type of immunizer. Groups are compared with their past vaccine administration rates to establish trends within each pharmacy.

Results: Research in progress

Conclusions: Research in progress