Pharmacy Technicians and Immunizations

Abstract

Objective:

To provide background on immunizations and community pharmacies and identify opportunities for pharmacy technicians to assist pharmacists in providing community pharmacy-based immunization programs.

Methods:

Articles were identified through searches of MEDLINE/PubMed (1950–July 2010) with the following search terms: vaccination and technician, immunization and technician, vaccination and pharmacist, and immunization and pharmacist. Additionally, immunization resources from the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were used.

Results:

Pharmacy technicians can help facilitate immunization programs and help reduce some of the barriers to providing superior services. Specific tasks that can be performed by pharmacy technicians include documentation, billing, assisting in the reporting of adverse events, and facilitating communication. Technicians can also take an active role in pharmacy-based immunization programs by obtaining cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and certification.

Conclusions:

Pharmacy technicians can help facilitate immunization programs and help pharmacists offer more robust and comprehensive immunization services.

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