Fowowe Oluwadamilola
Fowowe Oluwadamilola University of Lagos, Nigeria
Title: Immunization services: Involvement of community pharmacies in Lagos State, Nigeria
Biography
Biography: Fowowe Oluwadamilola
Abstract
Background: Nigeria has embraced the primary healthcare movement and has committed its resources to the provision of cost effective community based primary healthcare strategy. Immunizations are important part of this effort, especially the provision of the vaccines incorporated into the national expanded program on immunization (EPI) due to decline in immunization coverage. Community pharmacies can be involved in immunization to improve coverage as has been shown in the United States of America (USA) that this led to great improvement in immunization coverage. Objectives: To determine the current level of involvement and preparedness of community pharmacies and the willingness of community pharmacists to participate in immunization services. Method: One hundred and eighty four (184) questionnaires were distributed to community pharmacies using the systematic sampling method. Results: The study revealed that community pharmacies are largely involved in immunization services and also had most of the required infrastructure to stock vaccines. Also, community pharmacists were willing to undergo training to administer vaccines (96.2%). Conclusion: This study has shown the current level of involvement and preparedness of community pharmacies and the willingness of community pharmacists to participate in immunization services. Recommendations: Training sessions should be organized for community pharmacists to administer vaccines as this will improve immunization coverage.