What if pharmacists could vaccinate us? This idea is received very positively in France, according to an Opinionway / Satispharma survey carried out among 65 pharmacies out of 5,988 customers over 18 years of age. This act is currently prohibited, and only nurses and doctors are allowed to practice vaccination.
8 out of 10 French people in favor of a vaccination in pharmacies
At the question “are you in favor of vaccination in pharmacies“, 78% of those questioned answered in the affirmative. seniors (60 to 69 years old) are the most enthusiastic since 93% are in favor of this proposal. Better still, 92% of the participants declared themselves in favor of the authorization of a vaccination in pharmacies, which would then leave the choice free to each one. If this project exists, 74% say they are ready to take the plunge, and only 10% answer that they would not “not at all“ready to be vaccinated by their pharmacist.
Improve immunization coverage
A pharmacy vaccination would simplify the procedure since the vaccine would be purchased and administered in one place. This measure would also facilitate vaccination and improve vaccination coverage, especially in areas qualified as “medical desert“where doctors are scarce. Last advantage of this officinal vaccination: the cost reduction, since this gesture would be invoiced about ten euros at the pharmacist, against 23 at the general practitioner.
No vaccination without prior training
This project had been proposed by the Ministry of Health in November 2014 and should be integrated into the health law. But between this announcement and theadoption of the lawin December 2015, the proposal was withdrawn following the dissatisfaction of doctors, in particular through the demands of the two unions MG France and UNOF-CSMF. In May 2015, theAcademy of Pharmacy underlined, in a press release, that the authorization to vaccinate by pharmacists should not concern “only volunteer pharmacists” and that'”no pharmacist can be authorized to vaccinate without appropriate prior training“.
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