Pharmacist-led intervention on adverse events following immunization at a tertiary care hospital: A randomized controlled study

Abstract

CONTEXT: An adverse event following immunization (AEFI) is defined as “any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunization and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine.” Pharmacists who do not administer vaccines also have a role in promoting the importance of immunization in other ways, which include: (1) history and screening of patients, (2) patient counseling, (3) documentation, (4) formulary management, (5) administrative measures, and (6) public education and awareness. AIMS: This study aimed to assess AEFI and record and report AEFIs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven individuals were screened and randomized into two groups. One group received the conventional therapy, whereas the second group received pharmacist intervention. A comparison of the two groups gives an idea of how the objectives were fulfilled. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test and McNemar test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: From the 47 individuals screened, 40 were selected and divided into two groups of 20 each: intervention and control groups. Of the two groups, 67.5% and 32.5% were male and female, respectively. A wide range of vaccines were administered, of which oral polio vaccine was the most administered, and typhoid, haemophilus influenzae type b, rotavirus, and Tdap were the least administered. Fever was the most commonly recorded AEFI, and loss of appetite was the least recorded. CONCLUSION: The reporting rate of AEFI increases with the intervention of a clinical pharmacist.