flu and covid vaccines, yes. but don't ask an ontario pharmacist for an rsv vaccine
restrictions on ontario pharmacists when it comes to administering new vaccines, like the one to prevent the respiratory syncytial virus, has experts worried about the next "tripledemic."
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the role of pharmacists has come a long way from simply dispensing drugs. now, the profession faces the challenge of keeping the momentum going. getty
to date, ontario pharmacists have administered more than 10.9 million covid-19 vaccines, as well as nearly 2.2 million flu shots in the past flu season alone, representing 65 per cent of the flu shots administered in the province, according to angeline ng, vice-president of professional affairs at the ontario pharmacists association. it’s a testament to the trust ontarians place in pharmacy professionals, she says, and the value they provide — delivering a range of services through its convenient locations and extended hours, improving access to vaccinations and immunization rates, and building the public’s confidence in vaccines.
yet, despite this track record, new vaccines, like that for the respiratory syncytial virus (rsv), which are under review with health canada and expected to be available this fall for older adults and those who are pregnant, will not be accessible through community pharmacies — at least not right away. in fact, ontarians will need to see their primary care provider to get the vaccines, which is not the case in other provinces like alberta, quebec and british columbia, where pharmacists can administer new vaccines as they are available.
“for any vaccine not listed, regulatory amendments are required to enable the additional scope for pharmacy professionals to administer these vaccines,” explains angeline ng, vice-president of professional affairs at the ontario pharmacists association. “thus, [for now] despite having the knowledge, expertise and training to administer many of these vaccines, pharmacists must refer patients back to their primary care provider or local public health unit to receive them.”
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and in a province where 95 per cent of people live within five kilometres of a community pharmacy — easy access for vaccines — concern is growing over what the lack of vaccine injection authority means for immunization rates, and ontario’s ability to avoid what experts have coined a “tripledemic” (covid, flu and rsv).
“people who live in rural areas or those who don’t have access to a primary care physician rely on their community pharmacy for vaccines,” says siva sivapalan, a community pharmacist at the wincare pharmasave and primary care pharmacist at the hamilton family health team. “we don’t want to see less people being protected from preventable diseases.”
vaccines prevent up to 5 million deaths each year
according to the world health organization, immunization is one of the key tools used globally to fight 20 preventable yet life-threatening diseases. it is estimated that vaccines help to prevent up to five million deaths every year from influenza, measles, diphtheria as well as tetanus, and are used to prevent and control epidemics and outbreaks.
last winter, much of the country, including ontario, found itself overloaded by the impact of an early flu season, a surge in rsv infections, as well as a staggering number of covid-19 cases, with some hospitals reporting soaring admission rates. this year, the expected availability of rsv vaccines could be a game-changer — but only if ontarians get the shot, access which could hindered by the fact that it won’t be available in community pharmacies, at least for now. ng says that the ministry of ontario would work together with the ontario college of pharmacists to review proposed amendments to this restriction.
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her comments about collaboration match those of ontario’s chief medical officer of health dr. kieran moore, who, in a recent report, said that the best way to respond to the threat of annual seasonal epidemics is to work in “partnerships with the health-care system, including pharmacists, to deliver vaccines and therapeutics, as they become available.”
pharmacists “improve outcomes”
it is estimated that there are more than 15,000 pharmacy professionals who practice in ontario, representing about one-third of all pharmacists in canada. they not only prepare medications and administer vaccines, they can now also assess patients and write prescriptions for 13 common ailments. some pharmacists are also authorized to work within primary care teams.
it’s not yet clear what a rollout for expected vaccines for rsv or other future new vaccines will look like in the province, but sivapalan is hopeful that in the future, just like his colleagues in other provinces, pharmacy professionals in ontario may be approved to offer new vaccines as soon as they become available. as someone who works on the front line, he underscores that pharmacy professionals can help improve outcomes, and relieve the potential burden on hospitals and primary care providers.
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“regulation has enabled pharmacists to do a lot over the years, and it will keep evolving,” he says. “we’re certainly looking forward to doing more for ontarians.”
maja begovic is a toronto-based writer.
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