Pediatric vaccination in pharmacies is not associated with delayed well-child visits among commercially insured children

TL;DR

Giving pediatric vaccines in pharmacies does not delay well-child visits for commercially insured children, suggesting it can help improve vaccination rates without harming routine care.

Contribution

This study provides evidence that pharmacy-based pediatric vaccinations do not lead to missed or delayed well-child visits.

Findings

Children receiving vaccines in pharmacies had similar odds of timely well-child visits as those in primary care.

Guardians who choose pharmacy-based vaccinations may be more likely to obtain timely well-child visits.

Pharmacy-based vaccinations can help improve pediatric vaccination rates without negatively affecting routine care.

Abstract

Pediatric vaccination rates in the United States lag national goals. Policies that expand pharmacy-based vaccinations among children could help improve vaccination rates. Opponents argue, however, that such policies will result in delayed or missed well-child visits as most children receive routine vaccinations in primary care settings. We evaluated the likelihood of having a timely well-child visit following a routine vaccination in pharmacies and primary care settings among children aged 4–17 years. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis with commercial claims data from 2016–2019, using conditional logistic regression models. A timely well-child visit was defined as one within 12 months after a preceding well-child visit for primary analysis and 15 months for secondary analysis. Approximately 95% of the sample consisted of children with influenza among their index vaccine(s). The odds of having a timely well-child visit were similar between children who received vaccines in pharmacies and those who received them in primary care settings. Findings suggest that guardians or parents who choose pharmacy-based pediatric vaccinations for their commercially insured children do not forgo well-child visits and may actually be more likely to obtain a timely well-child visit. Extending pharmacy-based vaccinations to patients of all ages can help improve pediatric vaccination rates.

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