Readiness to provide immunization services among community pharmacists in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Starting from 2019, the government has been aiming to increase the immunization coverage by up to 93%. Community pharmacists are well-positioned to extend access to immunizations by providing immunization services to patients. This objective of this study was to determine community pharmacists' attitudes and knowledge on providing immunizations including perceived barriers to immunizing. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in the community pharmacies in Yogyakarta province, between August to October 2019. A pre-validated questionnaire was used and piloted to a small group of pharmaciets. A convenience sampling was chosen and written informed consent was required. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics of participating pharmacists’, their readiness to provide immunization, and the barriers that may potentially happen when community pharmacists’ implement immunization services. Descriptive statistics were used to present the received data. Result: Among 120 respondents, mostly female (80.83%) and pharmacists degree as education (81.67%). Additionally, to the easiness of accessibility, community pharmacists believed that they will have a powerful role in increasing the rate of immunization and improving the vaccination service. More than half of respondents (54.17%) did not fully have good knowledge of all aspect of vaccine administration. Several barriers have been identified as the factors that can contribute to the immunization services by pharmacists. The largest barrier is the lack of regulation governing immunization by pharmacists (95.83%). Followed by a lack of competency (70.83%), lack of skills training (66.67%), lack of equipment (63.3%), and high workload on conventional services (54.17%). Conclusion: Community pharmacists have a good perception of providing immunization services but the lack of regulation, competency, and skills training becomes a barrier in providing immunization services.