Improved influenza vaccination rates in a rural population as a result of a pharmacist-managed immunization campaign

Study Objective. To increase the rate of influenza vaccinations in high-risk patients by means of a pharmacist-managed immunization campaign. Design. Unblinded, single intervention. Setting. Rural primary care clinic. Patients. Six hundred fifty-seven patients at high risk for contracting influenza according to criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Intervention. High-risk patients identified by chart review were mailed an education packet on influenza immunization. Vaccinations were given in specially designated clinics and during routine clinic visits. Campaign success and reasons why patients remained unvaccinated were determined by follow-up surveys. Measurements and Main Results. The influenza vaccination rate increased from 28% at baseline (before program initiation) to 54% after program initiation. Unvaccinated patients were younger and resided in more urban areas than vaccinated patients; vaccinated patients had a higher frequency of cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Vaccinated patients consistently identified the education packet and their health care providers as primary motivators for vaccination. Conclusion. Our pharmacist-managed vaccine program increased the influenza immunization rate in high-risk patients.