Primary Care Physicians’ Perspective on Pharmacists Delivering Vaccines to Adults

Introduction: Since 2009, pharmacists in all fifty states have been authorized to provide vaccinations to adults in some capacity. The objective of this study was to assess primary care physicians’ (PCPs) experiences with and attitudes about pharmacists administering vaccinations to their adult patients. Methods:  Internet and mail survey from January-February 2019 of PCPs representative of the American College of Physicians’ and American Academy of Family Physicians’ memberships. Results: Response rate was 69% (642/926). Ninety-eight percent of respondents agreed (79% ‘Strongly,’ 19% ‘Somewhat’) that it is their responsibility to assure that their adult patients receive recommended vaccinations even if they get them outside of their practice. Most respondents agreed that pharmacists either did not have access to patient medical information (33% ‘Strongly’, 45% ‘Somewhat’) or did not have adequate vaccination history (33% ‘Strongly,’ 41% ‘Somewhat’) to determine if an adult needs a vaccination.  The majority also agreed that pharmacists did not inform them when vaccinations were given (35% ‘Strongly,’ 39% ‘Somewhat’) and did not enter vaccinations administered into immunization information systems (IIS) (20% ‘Strongly,’ 37% ‘Somewhat’).  However, 83% agreed (31% ‘Strongly’, 52% ‘Somewhat’) that it is helpful to have pharmacists share the role of vaccinating adults with physicians. Conclusions: PCPs have mixed feelings about pharmacists delivering vaccines to adults. Universal use of IIS by pharmacists could partially address physicians’ concerns by providing a systematic way for pharmacists and physicians to share patient vaccination histories.

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