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CORVALLIS, Ore. - A new study shows that retail pharmacists' efforts to provide vaccinations to the public-at-large is a growing success and will likely have wide-ranging impact on vaccination rates for a number of diseases.

"Pharmacists are increasingly involved in vaccinations nationwide," said David Bearden, a clinical pharmacist in Oregon State University's College of Pharmacy and co-author of the study.

Bearden's analysis of pharmacist-delivered vaccinations in Oregon was published in the December issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine with co-author Tom Holt, former executive director of the Oregon State Pharmacists Association.

The pair's research is the first statewide report of a voluntary pharmacist-delivered vaccination program in community pharmacies. Forty-three states allow retail pharmacists to provide vaccinations.

"The OSU College of Pharmacy currently trains and certifies all of its graduates to provide vaccinations once they become licensed pharmacists," Bearden said.

Oregon first granted authority for retail community pharmacists to vaccinate patients 18 years and older in 2000. Tracing pharmacist-delivered adult influenza vaccinations in Oregon for the first three years of the program, the research shows that pharmacists provided a substantial number of flu shots, with rural counties accounting for 28 percent of the vaccinations.

Pharmacist-provided vaccinations offer a unique opportunity for states with large rural areas to reach rural populations, Bearden said. For rural populations, the availability of pharmacy vaccination services may provide a particular advantage over traditional providers such as doctors and health departments, the report notes.

Data shows that pharmacies are well-accepted as vaccination sites and provide an easy option for any patients who otherwise might not receive a vaccination. And adding additional providers could increase vaccination rates for multiple diseases, Bearden said.

For example, pharmacists could play a large role in any future avian flu vaccination program.

"There is currently no available vaccine for avian flu," Bearden said. "However, because of their regional presence, pharmacies may be uniquely situated to aid in mass vaccination efforts should the need arise."

"Pharmacies are continuing to evolve into health care settings beyond traditional medication dispensing. Pharmacists are making strides to improve patient health and manage disease states.

Bearden said the intent of pharmacy-provided vaccinations is to improve overall vaccination rates in the state.

"This should not be viewed as competition with traditional providers," he said, "but rather as an added piece of the puzzle that can help prevent influenza and other infectious processes."

Bearden and Holt found that 56 Oregon pharmacies provided immunizations during the first year of the program. In the second year, the number increased to 88, and by the third year of the study, 132 pharmacies, or 18.4 percent of the licensed retail drug outlets in Oregon, were participating. Of the state's 4,180 licensed pharmacists, 409, or 10.2 percent, were certified vaccination providers.

In the first year, 13,116 adults received influenza vaccinations at Oregon pharmacies. In the next year, 25,785 vaccinations were provided, and in the final year, 30,218.

In the first year, the average number of vaccinations provided at each site hit 234. In the second year the average hit 293 vaccinations and in the third year the average was 229 shots, as more pharmacies took part. In addition to the flu, pharmacists also provided vaccinations for other diseases, including pneumonia and Hepatitis B.

For the most part, pharmacists are providing the vaccinations as a public service.

"There is no particular reason for this," Bearden said. "We are making strides to have these services covered by regular health insurance plans; however, many individuals currently pay a small fee for the vaccinations outside of their health care insurance.

"We are currently in influenza season," Bearden added. "All adults over 50 years of age, children 6-24 months and those people over the age of 50 or who have chronic medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease should receive an influenza vaccine yearly. Patients should ask their pharmacist or health provider about their need for a vaccination.