Keeping Mom and Baby Healthy - An Immunization Pilot Project

摘要

Background: Vaccinating pregnant women against influenza and pertussis has been shown to protect the pregnant woman, the fetus in-utero and the newborn, however, immunization rates in pregnancy remain low. Our outpatient Perinatal Centre has identified the need to improve immunization rates, however current staffing levels are not able to facilitate this. Patients are therefore referred to their family physician or community pharmacists for immunizations. The literature however, has shown that immunization coverage is improved when the vaccine is provided at the time of recommendation, as opposed to when a person is referred to another provider. Description: Pharmacists in our province have been permitted to provide immunizations since 2013. A pharmacist with certification to administer vaccines was integrated into the Perinatal Centre to screen clinic attendees for required immunizations, prescribe and to administer vaccines when appropriate.