Satisfaction with student pharmacists administering vaccinations in the University of Alberta annual influenza campaign.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate University of Alberta staff and students' acceptance of and satisfaction with receiving influenza vaccinations from student pharmacists during the university's annual influenza campaign.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A patient survey was created to collect patient demographics, influenza history and feedback on the services provided by pharmacy students and to measure willingness to receive vaccinations from a pharmacist in a community pharmacy. The 13-question survey was distributed to patients who received an influenza vaccination from a student pharmacist during the influenza campaign.

KEY FINDINGS

A total of 1555 staff and students completed the satisfaction survey. Almost all (n = 1533, 99%) survey participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the service provided by student pharmacists. A total of 1437 (92%) participants agreed or strongly agreed that based on this experience, they would be willing to receive vaccinations from a pharmacist in a community pharmacy and 1526 (98%) participants rated their overall experience at the flu clinic as very good or excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive responses to the survey suggest that University of Alberta staff and students are satisfied with the service provided by student pharmacists. Their willingness to receive vaccines from a pharmacist in a community pharmacy highlighted public acceptance of the expanding role of pharmacists as immunizers.