Isenor, J. E., O'Reilly, B. A., & Bowles, S. K. (2018). Evaluation of the impact of immunization policies, including the addition of pharmacists as immunizers, on influenza vaccination coverage in Nova Scotia, Canada: 2006 to 2016. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 734. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3540-1 [Flu Vaccination SM]
Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Policy/Guideline (State), Expanded Insurance Coverage, Other (Provider Practice),
Intervention Description: The intervention described in the study involved the implementation of two policy changes in Nova Scotia, Canada: 1) the implementation of a publicly-funded universal influenza vaccination program in the 2010–2011 influenza season, and 2) the addition of pharmacists as immunizers in 2013. The aim of these changes was to improve vaccine uptake by eliminating cost as a barrier and increasing convenience and possibly access ,[object Object],. The study aimed to investigate any changes in influenza vaccine coverage following the implementation of each policy change ,[object Object],. The study compared influenza vaccine coverage between the pre-universal program period, the universal publicly funded program period, and the universal publicly funded program with the addition of pharmacists period ,[object Object],.
Intervention Results: The results of the study showed an increase in influenza vaccine coverage immediately following the implementation of the two studied policy changes. Vaccine coverage increased from 36.4% to 38% following the implementation of the universally funded vaccine policy. Following the implementation of pharmacists as immunizers, coverage increased from 35.7% to 41.7% ,[object Object],. Despite the initial increase in coverage observed, a reduction in coverage was observed in the two years following the addition of pharmacists as immunizers ,[object Object],. The study also found that coverage in individuals aged 65 years and older remained relatively consistent with the addition of a universally funded vaccination program compared to the pre-universal study years ,[object Object],.
Conclusion: The addition of a universally funded vaccination policy and the addition of pharmacists as providers of the influenza vaccine resulted in increases in vaccine coverage initially. Additional research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of the policy changes on vaccination coverage and to identify other important factors affecting vaccine uptake.
Study Design: the main study discussed in the file aimed to compare influenza vaccine coverage between three different policy periods: 1) pre-universal influenza vaccination program; 2) universal publicly funded program; and 3) universal publicly funded program with the addition of pharmacists 6. The study used census data and aggregate immunization data obtained from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness 6. The study design was observational, as it analyzed existing data rather than conducting a randomized controlled trial or other experimental study.
Setting: Nova Scotia, Canada
Population of Focus: The target audience of the PDF file is likely researchers, healthcare professionals, and individuals interested in public health and related topics. The scientific literature and resources included in the file are intended for those with a background in the field and may contain technical language and data analysis.
Sample Size: The PDF file contains multiple studies and reports related to public health, and each study may have a different sample size. Without a specific study or report in question, it is not possible to provide a definitive answer regarding the sample size.
Age Range: The PDF file contains information related to influenza vaccination coverage for Nova Scotia residents aged six months of age and older ,[object Object],. Additionally, the study discusses influenza vaccine coverage in infants, which was found to have been steadily increasing throughout the pre-universal program period, with a large increase with the addition of the universal policy in 2010–2011 after which coverage declined for the remainder of the study period ,[object Object],.
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