Improving pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccination uptake: expanding pharmacist privileges.

Objective: To investigate how state-authorized pharmacist immunization privileges influence pharmacist intervention effectiveness in delivering pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccinations and assess the implications these privileges have on vaccination rates.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study of Walgreens vaccination records from August 2011 to March 2012.

Methods: A random sample of patients having a claim for influenza vaccination in the study period was selected.

Vaccinations administered during off-clinic hours at a national community pharmacy: implications for increasing patient access and convenience.

Purpose: Approximately 50,000 adults die annually from vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Most traditional vaccine providers (eg, physician offices) administer vaccinations during standard clinic hours, but community pharmacies offer expanded hours that allow patients to be vaccinated at convenient times. We analyzed the types of vaccines administered and patient populations vaccinated during off-clinic hours in a national community pharmacy, and their implications for vaccination access and convenience.