Patients Express Confidence in Pneumococcal Vaccines Given by Pharmacists in Oncology Units

Among patients in the outpatient oncology department at a large Australian regional hospital who were currently undergoing cancer treatment or had a history of such treatment, there were suboptimal rates of pneumococcal and influenza vaccination, despite exhibiting confidence in pharmacist-delivered vaccination services and a willingness to be vaccinated, according to a cross-sectional survey published in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice.¹

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Unique Risks of Patients With Cancer

Patients with cancer are burdened with the immunosuppressive impacts of treatment. Their increased risk stretches across the disease spectrum, with respiratory pathogens presenting dangers for these patients. Studies have demonstrated such risks, with patients with cancer being found to be more likely to have influenza or pneumonia-attributed death compared with the general population. Further, those with immune deficiencies related to their cancer contract invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) at rates up to 503 cases per 100,000 persons, compared with 8.8 cases per 100,000 in the general population.^2,3

This reality for patients with cancer necessitates effective programs to encourage vaccination. Pharmacists, especially those specializing in oncology settings, are poised to move beyond their traditional responsibilities and play an increased role in encouraging patients to vaccinate. Literature reviews and countless research initiatives have affirmed the positive role of pharmacists in vaccination services, especially pneumococcal vaccination. Pharmacists can assist in identifying patients eligible for vaccination and serve as vaccination educators and facilitators, thereby increasing uptake.^1,4

Above all, pharmacists present themselves as accessible, trustworthy, and cost-effective health care providers. However, currently available studies investigating their role as pneumococcal vaccinators are often restricted to community or hospital settings. There is little research on the role of pharmacists in vaccinations in the oncology setting or in cohorts of patients with cancer. Therefore, the current investigators sought to examine the perspectives of patients with cancer on influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in the oncology setting. In addition, they aimed to determine whether patients saw a possible role for pharmacists in facilitating vaccination services in oncology clinics.¹

Pharmacists Can Be Trusted, Reliable Vaccinators in Oncology Settings

The survey was administered to adult patients aged 18 years or more who were undergoing or had a history of systemic anti-cancer treatment in the outpatient oncology unit at Cairns Hospital in Australia. The survey consisted of 32 questions and asked oncology and hematology patients about their vaccination beliefs, knowledge, and perceptions. Investigators collected a total of 107 complete responses.¹

Vaccination rates and beliefs were assessed first by the investigators. Sixty-one of the 107 respondents (55.1%) had received an influenza vaccine in the last year, while 24 of 107 (22.4%) received a pneumococcal vaccine in the past 5 years. Patients generally expressed a positive association with vaccination, and most (69.2%) were willing to be vaccinated with little concern. Notably, only 5.5% of patients indicated being vaccinated at a hospital or public clinic; 80.4% of these patients responded that they would like to receive a vaccination at a hospital cancer center.¹

When asked about preferred health care providers to recommend vaccination, only 55.1% of patients indicated a willingness to accept a vaccination recommendation from a pharmacist. Despite this, 86% of the population remained willing to receive at least 1 vaccine from a pharmacist, and 61.7% would accept all vaccines administered by a pharmacist during their cancer treatment, according to the survey results.¹

Takeaways For Oncology Pharmacists

Low vaccination rates observed in this cohort stand in contrast to studies of general populations, in which perceived susceptibility often positively correlates with vaccine uptake. The investigators discussed that the low rate observed in this cohort could indicate that other factors could influence patient behavior, especially in the context of cancer care.^1,5

Interestingly, patients in this study who exhibited high perceived susceptibility, severity, and benefit were more inclined to accept pharmacist-administered vaccines in the oncology unit. This offers key insights for pharmacists in these settings; efforts to vaccinate should encompass all those at risk, but with special focus on addressing the gap between high perceived risk of pneumococcal disease and low vaccine uptake. To the best of the investigator’s knowledge, this study was the first to examine patient perspectives on pharmacist involvement within vaccination services in the oncology unit. Accordingly, further research should expand the breadth of this investigation and aim to explore more underlying reasons for being vaccinated or unvaccinated as an oncology patient.¹

“A pharmacist-led vaccination service within outpatient oncology units may be a promising strategy to improve vaccination rates in this vulnerable patient cohort, given that the majority expressed a willingness to receive vaccines administered by pharmacists,” the study authors concluded.¹

REFERENCES

1. Johnstone K, Cooper J, Glass B. Perspectives of patients with cancer on influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in an oncology setting: Is there a role for pharmacists? J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/10781552251369721

2. Abdel-Rahman O. Influenza and pneumonia-attributed deaths among cancer patients in the United States; a population-based study. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2021;15(3):393-401. doi: 10.1080/17476348.2021.1842203

3. Kyaw MH, Rose CE, Fry AM, et al. The influence of chronic illnesses on the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults. J Infect Dis. 2005;192(3):377-86. doi:10.1086/431521

4. Halpern L. Pharmacist-Led Interventions Significantly Increase Pneumococcal Vaccine Uptake in Older Adults. Pharmacy Times. Published July 19, 2025. Accessed August 22, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/pharmacist-led-interventions-significantly-increase-pneumococcal-vaccine-uptake-in-older-adults

5. Santos AJ, Kislaya I, Matias-Dias C, Machado A. Health beliefs and attitudes toward Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination in Portugal: a study using a mixed-method approach. Front Public Health. 2024;11:1331136. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1331136