Pharmacy-based immunization: a systematic review

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has prompted the exploration of new response strategies for such health contingencies in the near future. Over the last 15 years, several pharmacy-based immunization (PBI) strategies have emerged seeking to exploit the potential of pharmacies as immunization, medication sale, and rapid test centers. However, the participation of pharmacies during the last pandemic was very uneven from one country to another, suggesting a lack of consensus on the definition of their roles and gaps between the literature and practice.PurposeThis study aimed to consolidate the current state of the literature on PBI, document its progress over time, and identify the gaps not yet addressed. Moreover, this study seeks to (i) provide new researchers with an overview of the studies on PBI and (ii) to inform both public health and private organization managers on the range of possible immunization models and strategies.MethodologyA systematic review of scientific qualitative and quantitative studies on the most important scientific databases was conducted. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyzes guidelines were followed. Finally, this study discusses the trends, challenges, and limitations on the existing literature on PBI.FindingsMust studies concluded that PBI is a beneficial strategy for the population, particularly in terms of accessibility and territorial equity. However, the effectiveness of PBI is affected by the economic, political, and/or social context of the region. The collaboration between the public (government and health departments) and private (various pharmacy chains) sectors contributes to PBI's success.OriginalityUnlike previous literature reviews on PBI that compiled qualitative and statistical studies, this study reviewed studies proposing mathematical optimization methods to approach PBI

Literature Review - the vaccine supply chain

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the outbreak of an infectious disease. This medical intervention also brings about many logistical quest

Emerg Infect Dis

PMC4550154611

Impact and management of influenza in aged care facilities in Australia from 2018-2020, including lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic

Aged care facilities in Australia are at high risk of influenza outbreaks with significant mortality and morbidity. Susceptible residents living in close proximity in poorly ventilated and designed facilities, and low vaccination rates among aged care staff have been associated with transmission of influenza. This thesis investigates the impact of influenza and associated policy changes in 9 aged care facilities in Sydney, Australia from 2018 to 2020 highlighting areas of priority that should be addressed by efforts to prevent and control influenza outbreaks. Findings are informed by an analysis of national policies, meta-analysis of published studies and an observational epidemiological study. Most of the evidence for existing infection prevention and control recommendations is based on research conducted in other healthcare settings. There is a substantial gap in the coverage of recommendations on the physical layout of aged care facilities (built environment) in infection control and prevention policies. Existing recommendations lack adequate details, and do not cite high-quality evidence. The meta-analysis found that attack rates were significantly lower in multiple smaller detached facilities than in standalone buildings. A single unit increase in the number of beds and number of common areas was significantly associated with an increase in influenza case counts in our observational study sample. There is some evidence to support the smaller-size cottage model of facilities with adequate space for physical distancing. From 2018 to 2020, influenza case numbers were low in Australia probably due to seasonal variations, introduction of enhanced vaccines among older adults (aged ≥ 65 years old), high vaccination rates among aged care staff and residents and implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures, and it is challenging to isolate the impact of each factor. Aged care staff who were less than 40 years old, current smokers and overseas-born were identified as less likely to be repeatedly vaccinated against influenza. To tailor vaccination campaigns, further qualitative study on barriers to vaccination would be useful. Understanding gained in the thesis can help formulate policies at the facility level and guide future research on prevention and control measures in response to influenza outbreaks in aged care facilities especially to improve surveillance, vaccination and physical layout

Emerging infectious diseases

Emerging Infectious Diseases is providing access to these abstracts on behalf of the ICEID 2008 program committee, which performed peer review. Emerging Infectious Diseases has not edited or proofread these materials and is not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions. All information is subject to change.Comments and corrections should be brought to the attention of the authors.Slide Sessions -- Foodborne & waterborne diseases I -- Influenza I -- Surveillance: International -- Zoonotic & animal diseases I -- Methicillin-resistant stapylococcal infections -- Vectorborne diseases -- Foodborne & waterborne diseases II -- Influenza II -- Surveillance: Domestic -- Zoonotic & animal diseases II -- Noscomial infections -- Respiratory diseases -- Health communications -- Blood, organ, & tissue safety -- Tropical diseases -- New rapid diagnostics -- Mobile populations & infectious diseases -- Vaccine-preventable diseases -- Tuberculosis -- Sexually transmitted diseases -- -- Poster Abstracts -- Vaccines & vaccine-preventable diseases -- Antimicrobial resistance -- Climate changes -- Foodborne & waterborne infections -- Health communication -- Infectious causes of chronic diseases -- Influenza -- New or rapid diagnostics -- Nosocomial infections -- Outbreak investigation: Lab & epi response -- Sexually transmitted diseases -- Surveillance: International & new strategies -- Travelers' health & disease importation -- Tropical infections & parasitic diseases -- Vector-borne diseases -- Women, gender, sexual minorities & infectious diseases -- Zoonotic & animal diseases -- Vaccines & vaccine-preventable diseases -- Antimicrobial resistance -- Emerging aspects of HIV -- Foodborne & waterborne infections -- Health communication -- Molecular epidemiology -- Outbreak investigation: Lab & epi response -- Poverty & infectious diseases -- Surveillance: International & new strategies -- Tropical infections & parasitic diseases -- Vector-borne diseases -- Zoonotic & animal diseases -- Vaccines & vaccine-preventable diseases -- Antimicrobial resistance -- Blood, organ, & other tissue safety -- Foodborne & waterborne infections -- Host & microbial genetics -- Influenza -- Molecular epidemiology -- New or rapid diagnostics -- Outbreak investigation: Lab & epi response -- Prevention effectiveness, cost effectiveness, & cost studies -- Surveillance: International & new strategies -- Vector-borne diseases -- Zoonotic & animal diseases -- Vaccines & vaccine-preventable diseases -- Antimicrobial resistance -- Bioterrorism preparedness -- Emerging opportunistic infections -- Foodborne & waterborne infections -- Healthcare worker safety -- Influenza -- Laboratory proficiency testing/quality assurance -- Modeling -- Nosocomial infections -- Outbreak investigation: Lab & epi response -- Vector-borne diseases -- Viral hepatitis -- Zoonotic & animal diseases -- Vaccines & vaccine-preventable diseases -- Antimicrobial resistance -- Emerging opportunistic infections -- Foodborne & waterborne infections -- Influenza -- New or rapid diagnostics -- Nosocomial infections -- Outbreak investigation: Lab & epi response -- Social determinants of infectious disease disparities -- Surveillance: International & new strategies -- Tuberculosis -- Vector-borne diseases -- Zoonotic & animal diseases -- -- Additional Poster Abstracts.Abstracts published in advance of the conference

Pharmacy Practice and Administration

The scope of the Special Issue is research and reviews on evaluations of current practice, innovations in medication management, developments in therapeutics, and pharmaceutical science research that informs and improves practice and administration, as well as the social and administrative pharmacy. We will mainly feature original research, reviews, short reports, and clinical studies, but also case reports, descriptive/how-to, and commentary submissions for consideration