PHARMACISTS AS IMMUNIZERS IN NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: IDENTIFYING IMMUNIZATION PRESCRIBING TRENDS AND PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

The study objectives were to 1.) describe demographic characteristics of individuals prescribed immunizations by pharmacists in Nova Scotia, comparing characteristics pre- and during COVID-19 and against the provincial population; and 2.) describe pharmacist immunization prescribing activity and compare pre- and during COVID-19. This study included all Nova Scotians aged ≥2 years prescribed at least one immunization by a community pharmacist from April 2018 to March 2022. Among 274,081 individuals, 531,780 immunizations were prescribed. The average age was 53 years and 64% of individuals were ≥50 years. Females comprised 56%, 64% lived in urban areas, and 40% in Halifax Regional Municipality. 95% of prescriptions were for influenza vaccines. The top non-influenza vaccines were varicella zoster, hepatitis, and cholera. Post-COVID-19 onset, hepatitis and cholera immunization prescribing declined, while varicella zoster immunization prescribing remained relatively stable. Multivariable negative binomial regression models demonstrated associations between patient demographics, month and year, and immunization prescribing rates.