Pharmacist-led Tdap vaccination of close contacts of neonates in a women's hospital

Background

Pertussis can cause severe illness and death in infants. Immunization of family members with the tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoids, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine can decrease risk of pertussis infection among infants. A community pharmacy on a women's hospital campus implemented a Tdap vaccination pilot program.

Objective

To investigate the rate of Tdap vaccination among close contacts of neonates in a women's hospital pharmacy and to assess the impact of a coordinated pharmacy and hospital Tdap vaccination program.

Methods

The intervention entailed education from hospital staff who explained the risks of pertussis, advocated the benefits of vaccination, and encouraged family members to be vaccinated. In the on-site clinic or in the pharmacy, pharmacists administered vaccine to eligible patients. Rates of Tdap vaccinations in the intervention pharmacy with in-hospital vaccination were compared to comparison pharmacies without Tdap interventions.

Results

In the pre-study period (December 2008–November 2010), there were 31 Tdap vaccinations administered at the intervention pharmacy (mean = 1.3/month); during the study period (December 2010–November 2012), 2045 Tdap vaccinations were administered (mean = 85.2/month). In four comparison hospital-campus pharmacies, there were 77 vaccinations (mean = 0.8/month) during the pre-study period and 817 vaccinations (mean = 8.5/month) during the study period. There were 155 vaccinations administered in 44 area-community pharmacies (mean = 0.1/month) during the pre-study period and 2930 (mean = 2.8/month) during the study period. The intervention pharmacy had the highest average monthly rate of change in Tdap volume from pre-study to study period (83.9), compared to comparison hospital-campus pharmacies (7.7, p < .001) and area-community pharmacies (2.7, p < .001). During the study period, the estimated Tdap vaccination coverage per live births was 8.1% in the intervention pharmacy versus 5.5% in the comparison hospital-campus pharmacies (p < .001).

Conclusions

Tdap vaccination rates increased after implementation of the intervention program. This project illustrates how health systems and community pharmacists can collaborate to improve patient care.