Journal of Vaccines & Vaccination

Incorporating of immunization course in pharmacy curriculum in Malaysia

3^rd International Conference on Vaccines & Vaccination

July 29-31, 2013 Embassy Suites Las Vegas, NV, USA

Omer Qutaiba B. Al-lela, Mohd. Baidi Bahari, Ramadan M. Elkalmi and Ammar Ihsan Jawad Awadh

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Vaccines Vaccin

Abstract:

Objectives: To evaluate immunization knowledge and attitude among pharmacy students, and to identify the impact of immunization course on students? knowledge and attitude regarding immunization. As a health care provider, the pharmacists have played a role in promoting, maintaining, and improving immunization rates among children because the pharmacist is one of the most accessible healthcare professionals. Most of the schools or colleges do not have enough education courses regarding immunization. These deficiencies in immunization education and training in colleges and schools of pharmacy may contribute to low immunization rates in the Malaysia. After suggestion and negotiation, the immunization course was introduced in Kulliyyah of Pharmacy- International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) during current academic year (2012-2013) for fourth-year students enrolled in the bachelor of pharmacy (B. Pharm) degree program. Validated knowledge and attitude (KA) questionnaires about immunization were distributed before and after immunization course among 4th year student. The immunization course consist of: immunization and vaccine types in children and adult, schedule and timing, adverse reactions, contraindications, epidemiology and disease prevention, pharmacist?s role, documentation, record keeping, planning, storage, parents? education and reminder, immunization errors types, pharmacovigilance, and recommendations. A total of 70 students were analyzed. The majority of students were female (55, 78.6%). The mean ? standard deviation of students? KA scores before immunization course was 12.957?3.68, while the students? KA scores after immunization course was increased to 17.442?2.65. As academic pharmacists, we believe that it is high time for Malaysian pharmacy schools to help reach the national goals for immunization compliance through educating future generation?s pharmacists. Although the initiation of the new course in pharmacy school requires additional resources and takes time to develop and update the curriculum, we strongly advice other Malaysian schools of pharmacy to mandate immunization education course and training as part of their core curriculum.