Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination

Awareness and enhanced accessibility to immunization: Public health initiative in Pakistan

13^th Annual Congress on Vaccines, Therapeutics & Travel Medicine: Influenza & Infectious diseases

December 01-02, 2016 Atlanta, USA

Mehreen Raza

Aga University Hospital, Pakistan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Vaccines Vaccin

Abstract:

Background: Pakistan is one the two countries where polio is still endemic. Immunization program in Pakistan is experiencing great challenges. However, Aga Khan University Hospital is providing services to the community and playing a pivotal role in creating mass awareness of immunization. Objective: To enhance public awareness about immunization in order to decrease disease burden from the society through Pharmacist assistance. Methodology: Pharmacist plays an important role in health care team as trainer, educator and motivator in immunization. In April 2013, as being part of strategic planning, Pharmacists were inducted at immunization center where they were involved in taking immunization histories, past and current medication records and ensuring the rational use of vaccines. WHO advisory body, on May 5, 2014 has imposed polio vaccine sanctions on Pakistani travelers. Every traveler of Pakistan has to be vaccinated with polio vaccine. Against this backdrop the role of Pharmacist was further enhanced. In October 2015, the phlebotomists training program was started under the supervision of immunization certified pharmacist in order to expand immunization services to phlebotomy centers operating in far flung areas of Pakistan in order to bring out the country from the disease burden. Result & Conclusion: The idea opened new venues of decreasing the disease burden particularly polio from Pakistan. The patient volumes at vaccination center jumped to almost 100% in 2015 as compared to previous years. Till date around 50 phlebotomists had successfully completed the immunization training program and most of them had been inducted in various phlebotomy centers functioning in different areas of Sindh province.

Biography :

Email: mehreen.raza@aku.edu