Influenza vaccination for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Implications for pharmacists

Influenza vaccination coverage among COPD patients is far below the Healthy People 2020 national goal. Several predisposing, enabling, and need factors influenced vaccination rate among COPD patients. Pharmacists can improve vaccination rate among COPD patients by recognizing these influencing factors and by acting as advocates, counselors, and administrators of influenza vaccine. Ultimately, with the collaborative efforts of other healthcare providers and public health initiatives, pharmacists can help achieve Healthy People 2020 objectives related to influenza vaccination.