Life-course vaccination: knowledge, attitudes and practices of pharmacists registered with the South African Pharmacy Council
1
Department of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, School of Pharmacy, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
2
South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3935
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Life-course vaccination is a preventive health approach that provides protection against infectious diseases across all stages of life. Despite the ongoing burden of vaccine-preventable diseases such as pneumococcal infections, influenza, cervical cancer, and hepatitis B, vaccination coverage remains suboptimal due to vaccine hesitancy, limited awareness, and systemic barriers. Pharmacists have an important role in vaccination delivery and advocacy. However, limited evidence exists on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to life-course vaccination in South Africa.
METHODS:
A quantitative descriptive study was conducted among pharmacists registered with the South African Pharmacy Council using a self-administered online questionnaire. Data collected included demographics, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers and facilitators related to life-course vaccination. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data using SPSS version 29.
RESULTS:
A total of 456 pharmacists participated (mean age 41.2 years, SD 14.6). Most respondents were Black African (51.3%), based in Gauteng (39.0%), and working in the private sector (53.9%). While awareness of life-course vaccination was high, detailed vaccine knowledge was limited. Fewer than 10% correctly identified all recommended vaccines for children or older adults, although 47.4% identified vaccines recommended for healthcare professionals. Attitudes assessed using the modified 5C scale showed that confidence, collective responsibility, complacency, constraints, and calculation were key predictors of vaccination attitudes. Despite involvement in vaccination-related activities, many pharmacists had never assessed patients’ vaccination eligibility (50.4%) or vaccination history (48.2%). Mistrust and conspiracy theories (90.6%) and limited patient awareness (85.5%) were the most frequently reported barriers, while mobile vaccination clinics and patient education campaigns were the most cited facilitators.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite high awareness of life-course vaccination, substantial gaps exist in pharmacists’ vaccination knowledge and practices. Strengthening pharmacist training and integrating pharmacists more fully into national immunisation programmes may improve vaccine uptake and access across the life-course in South Africa.
Life-course vaccination is a preventive health approach that provides protection against infectious diseases across all stages of life. Despite the ongoing burden of vaccine-preventable diseases such as pneumococcal infections, influenza, cervical cancer, and hepatitis B, vaccination coverage remains suboptimal due to vaccine hesitancy, limited awareness, and systemic barriers. Pharmacists have an important role in vaccination delivery and advocacy. However, limited evidence exists on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to life-course vaccination in South Africa.
METHODS:
A quantitative descriptive study was conducted among pharmacists registered with the South African Pharmacy Council using a self-administered online questionnaire. Data collected included demographics, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers and facilitators related to life-course vaccination. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data using SPSS version 29.
RESULTS:
A total of 456 pharmacists participated (mean age 41.2 years, SD 14.6). Most respondents were Black African (51.3%), based in Gauteng (39.0%), and working in the private sector (53.9%). While awareness of life-course vaccination was high, detailed vaccine knowledge was limited. Fewer than 10% correctly identified all recommended vaccines for children or older adults, although 47.4% identified vaccines recommended for healthcare professionals. Attitudes assessed using the modified 5C scale showed that confidence, collective responsibility, complacency, constraints, and calculation were key predictors of vaccination attitudes. Despite involvement in vaccination-related activities, many pharmacists had never assessed patients’ vaccination eligibility (50.4%) or vaccination history (48.2%). Mistrust and conspiracy theories (90.6%) and limited patient awareness (85.5%) were the most frequently reported barriers, while mobile vaccination clinics and patient education campaigns were the most cited facilitators.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite high awareness of life-course vaccination, substantial gaps exist in pharmacists’ vaccination knowledge and practices. Strengthening pharmacist training and integrating pharmacists more fully into national immunisation programmes may improve vaccine uptake and access across the life-course in South Africa.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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