Vaccinations: The role of a Pharmacist

- Advises UK health departments on imWho are the Joint Committee on Vacci- munisation nation and Immunisation (JVCI)? - Make important decisions about schedules - Document that has the latest information on vaccines and vaccination procedures What is the 'Green Book'? What are the 2 main parts? - Part 1: Principles, practices and procedures - Part 2: The diseases, vaccinations and vaccines - Volume of information- sufficiently provided about risks and benefits for each vaccine - Increasing number of vaccines - Parents becoming more selective, wary How do we communicate benefits and of newer vaccine risks of immunisation? - Are ethical and legal considerations of consent always met? - Information should be provided by a range of Healthcare professionals - No one is immunised --> contagious disease spreads through the population Explain herd immunity - Some of the population gets immunised --> contagious disease spreads through some of the population - Most of the population gets immunised --> Spread of contagious disease is contained The likely number of infected cases What is Basic reproduction number (R0) caused by one case in a population where no individuals 1/4 have immunity What percentage of the population needs to be vaccinated to prevent an outbreak of measles? 95% What is Poliomyelitis? - A disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus - Can cause paralysis - Iron lung was used to treat people What are the symptoms of measles? - Cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a cough - Conjunctivitis - Rash - Small greyish-white spots in the mouth Vaccine Hesitancy - Complacency --> Perceived risks of vaccine-preventable disease are low --> Vaccination is not deemed a necessary preventative action --> Other life/health responsibilities seen as more important at that point in time - Convenience --> Extent to which physical availabiliWhat is the 3Cs model of vaccine hesity affordability, willingness-to-pay, geotancy? graphical accessibility, ability to understand (language and health literacy) and appeal of immunisation services affect uptake - Confidence --> Trust in vaccines, in the system that delivers them, and in the policymakers who decide which vaccines are needed and when 2/4 Give information about the vaccine uptake intervention to target vaccine hesitancy - Target under-vaccinated populations - Increase knowledge and awareness - Target specific populations (like Healthcare workers) - Mandate vaccines - Reminders/follow-up - Engage leaders to promote vaccines Give information about the psychological shift intervention to target vaccine hesitancy - Embed education into normal health processes - Tailor interventions to concerns/information gaps - Use trusted groups to spread valid information - Connect at emotional level (use of stories) - Communicate disease risks - Targeting anti-vaccine groups can backfire Contraindications, Side-effect and Storage Give 5 contra-indications to vaccination (Green Book Chapter 6) - Anaphylaxis to previous vaccine - Anaphylaxis to component of vaccine - Egg allergy - Latex allergy - Live vaccines How common are mild local reaction Are common with inactivated vaccines containing adjuvants, pain, redness, swelling at injection site provide re-assurance 3/4 How common are severe local reactions - Are rare refer to GP same day - Swelling/redness of limb What do mild systemic reactions include? Include fever, headache, aching muscles, provide re-assurance How common are severe systemic reactions Refer to GP immediately, very rare - Storage, distribution and disposal - Maintain within manufacturers recommended guidelines in monitored fridge (2-8C) - Any vaccine that has not been stored at Give some important points to consider correct regarding to storage of vaccines temp as per licensing conditions is no longer a licensed product - Do not freeze (except COVID Pfizer vaccine) - Audit 4/4