The Capsule

Abstract

Immunization is a method by which a person becomes sheltered from infectious diseases, extricating millions of lives every year. Vaccines reduce risk of acquiring diseases by functioning your body’s natural defenses to strengthen protection. Immunization is a key component of primary health care. With the increasing need for immunizers, pharmacists were trained and instated to be allowed and able to provide immunization to patients. This study aimed to know how community and hospital pharmacists are prepared in immunization of vaccines to patients whether in terms of training, credentials, and willingness. The authors sent out online surveys to pharmacists working in the hospital and community sectors. Using questions following a Likert scale format, the following categories of data were gathered: Demographic profile, perceived level of effectiveness of vaccines per demographic profile, level of preparedness in immunization of vaccines per demographic profile, and significant difference in the perceived level of effectiveness of vaccines per demographic profile. The subsequent data were then consolidated and interpreted, with the results being: majority of respondents obtaining a mean score obtained mean score is within 2.50 to 3.49 which is verbally described as "neutral" and interpreted as "Uncertain whether vaccines are effective or not". In perceived level of preparedness per demographic profile, respondents who were above 30 years old, male respondents, and respondents who had more than 5 years of work experience obtained mean scores that are within 3.50 to 4.49 which is verbally described as "Agree" and interpreted as "Prepared in Immunization of Vaccine". For Test of significant difference on Perceived Level of Effectiveness on Vaccine, across sub-levels of each demographic profile, the computed p-values are greater than .05 alpha level which is not significant and null hypothesis is accepted. For Test for Significant Difference on Level of Preparedness in Immunization of Vaccine, demographic profiles such as age, civil status, work experience, and field of work, the computed p-values are greater than .05 alpha level. This would mean that there is no significant difference and null hypothesis is accepted. However, for sex and demographic profile, the computed p-values are less than .05 alpha level. This would mean that there is significant difference and null hypothesis is rejected. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that Respondents are uncertain whether the vaccine is effective or not and are uncertain if they are prepared in immunization of vaccines or not. Across all respondents, they perceived uncertainties with the use of vaccines. Age, civil status, years of experience, and field of work has nothing to do with uncertainties in being prepared with immunization of vaccine.

Keywords: Community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, immunization, vaccines, immunizers, infectious disease, effectiveness.