Pharmacist-led interventions can increase vaccine uptake in older adults

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis has assessed the role of pharmacists in improving vaccination uptake for the five major vaccines recommended for older adults, specifically COVID-19, herpes zoster, influenza, pneumococcal disease and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines. The review aimed to generate evidence on the effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions in promoting the uptake of these vaccines among patients 60 years of age or older.Key findings of the review:A total of 10,998 studies were initially identified, of which only 13 met the inclusion criteria.Seven of the 13 studies were conducted in community pharmacies, while the remaining six were conducted in hospitals, clinics, a medical centre and a subacute healthcare facility.Of the included studies, five focused on herpes zoster vaccinations, four on pneumococcal vaccinations, three on influenza vaccination, and one assessed either pneumococcal or influenza vaccinations. None of the studies investigated COVID-19 or RSV vaccinations.In nine studies, pharmacists played multiple roles in immunization services, while in four studies they acted solely as vaccine advocators or educators.In eight pre-post studies, pharmacist involvement in immunization services significantly increased vaccine uptake among older adults, yielding a pooled relative risk (RR) of 3.29 (95% CI 2.01–5.39).Similarly, in five randomized studies, pharmacist-led interventions were significantly associated with increased vaccine uptake, with a pooled RR of 3.04 (95% CI 1.46–6.34).The highest vaccination uptake among older adults was observed when pharmacists were engaged as educators and facilitators, or advocators. When pharmacists served solely as educators, there was no significant association with vaccine uptake.The authors conclude that their systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates the substantial impact of pharmacist-led interventions on vaccination uptake among older people compared to usual care or other interventions without pharmacist involvement. Pharmacist-led interventions were associated with a threefold increase in vaccine uptake among older adults, as evidenced by pooled relative risk estimates of 3.29 in pre-post studies and 3.04 in randomized studies. Pharmacists demonstrated the greatest effectiveness when engaged in multiple roles—as educators, facilitators, immunizers and advocators—emphasizing the importance of a multifaceted approach. The authors advise that healthcare policymakers and organizations should prioritize and implement comprehensive pharmacist-led strategies to enhance vaccine uptake in older adults. They also urge future research to explore the impact of pharmacist-led interventions on COVID-19 and RSV vaccination uptake among older adults, as no interventional studies have yet been conducted in this area.ReferenceAmare SN, Yee KC, Leung M, et al. Impact of pharmacist-led interventions on COVID-19, herpes zoster, influenza, pneumococcal, and respiratory syncytial virus vaccines uptake in people aged 60 years and older: systematic review and meta-analysis. Res Social Adm Pharm 2025;Jul 1:S1551-7411(25)00377-8. (accessed July 8, 2025).

Pharmacist-led interventions can increase vaccine uptake in older adults

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