Pharmacy patient perceptions of pharmacy technicians as immunizers

Participation of pharmacy technicians in clinical and patient-centered care practices: A state-wide survey in Nigeria

“…A previous study showed support for immunization by PTs in the United States, citing advantages of increased accessibility and reduced waiting time. 33 Contrary to our findings, studies in the United States have shown immunization to be a recognized role of PTs with additional training and certification on immunization. 29,34 Additional training and certification for PTs in Nigeria is currently nonexistent, and administration of immunization is currently not within their practice scope in the country.…”

Pharmacy technician-administered immunizations: A five-year review

“…First, patients have reported support for pharmacy technicians administering immunizations and the authors did not note any perceived reduction in pharmacist image. McKeirnan and Kaur 43 interviewed 46 patients at chain community pharmacies about their perceptions of technicians administering immunizations. Patients reported support for technicians in this role and noted several key themes: (1) technicians would increase accessibility and decrease waiting time, (2) ensuring proper training would improve patient comfort, and (3) technician immunizers would balance the workload on the pharmacy team.…”

“…Not all patients reported their willingness to receive immunizations by technicians, but this also holds true with pharmacists because, for example, only one-third of influenza vaccines were provided by pharmacists in a recent season. 43,44 Although this is limited evidence, additional studies after the pandemic will be beneficial given the volume of immunizations now administered by technicians.…”

The role of pharmacy technicians in vaccination services: a scoping review

“…Patient perspective has also been found to be in support of the emerging vaccine administration role for pharmacy technicians. 48 Interviews of patients who had yet to receive a vaccine from a pharmacy technician found that patients expressed comfort with the future prospect of expanding pharmacy technician scope of practice to include administering vaccines because they had positive trusting relationships with the pharmacy team, because they knew technicians had proper immunization technique training, and because of the potential to improve accessibility thereby decreasing immunization wait times. 48 Unprecedented increases in patient vaccinations to protect against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and a record-breaking influenza vaccination season signal additional opportunity for pharmacy to play an important public health role.…”

“…48 Interviews of patients who had yet to receive a vaccine from a pharmacy technician found that patients expressed comfort with the future prospect of expanding pharmacy technician scope of practice to include administering vaccines because they had positive trusting relationships with the pharmacy team, because they knew technicians had proper immunization technique training, and because of the potential to improve accessibility thereby decreasing immunization wait times. 48 Unprecedented increases in patient vaccinations to protect against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and a record-breaking influenza vaccination season signal additional opportunity for pharmacy to play an important public health role. 17,49 The COVID-19 pandemic has pronounced the vaccination service value offered by pharmacy technicians, and this is reflected by the recent scope of practice changes to support COVID-19 vaccine administration seen in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.…”