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-ris k 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 inf luenza 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 spec ially designated clinics and during routine clinic visits. Campaign success and reasons why patients remained unvaccinated were determined by follow-u p surveys. Measurements and Main Results. The influenza vaccination rate increased fro m 28% at baseline (before program initiation) to 54% after program initiati on. Unvaccinated patients were younger and resided in more urban areas than vaccinated patients; vaccinated patients had a higher frequency of cardiov ascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Vaccinated patients consistently iden tified the education packet and their health care providers as primary moti vators for vaccination. Conclusion. Our pharmacist-managed vaccine program increased the influenza immunization rate in high-risk patients.