Table 3 Pharmacists’ answers to knowledge items
# | Correct | Incorrect | I don’t Know | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
n (%) | n (%) | n (%) | ||
D1: General knowledge | ||||
K1 | Vaccines are critical to the prevention and control of infectious diseases outbreaks | 409 (99.3%) | 3 (0.7%) | 0 (0%) |
K2 | The ingredients of the vaccine include: the antigen, adjuvants, preservatives, and stabilizers | 375 (91%) | 6 (1.5%) | 31 (7.5%) |
K3 | Vaccines are safe and serious problems from the vaccine are very rare | 383 (93%) | 20 (7%) | 9 (2.2%) |
K4 | Every vaccine must go through extensive and rigorous testing before it can be introduced | 402 (97.6%) | 6 (1.4%) | 4 (1%) |
K5 | During the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination continues to be critically important | 396 (96.1%) | 6 (1.4%) | 10 (2.5%) |
K6 | Vaccines reduce the risks of getting a disease by working with the body’s natural defenses to build protection | 412 (100%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) |
K7 | Not all vaccinations may be needed in Lebanon, some may only be given prior to travel, or to people in high-risk | 334 (81.1%) | 78 (18.9%) | 4 (1%) |
K8 | Following the introduction of a vaccine, close monitoring continues to detect any unexpected adverse side effects and assess the effectiveness | 377 (91.5%) | 22 (5.3%) | 13 (3.2%) |
K9 | Vaccines protect us throughout life and at different ages, from birth to childhood, as teenagers, and into old age | 378 (91.7%) | 28 (6.8%) | 6 (1.5%) |
D2: Influenza vaccination | ||||
K10 | Unvaccinated people with mild symptoms of influenza can spread the disease to others | 383 (93%) | 22 (5.3%) | 7 (1.7%) |
K11 | The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the most common influenza viruses including H1N1 | 358 (86.9%) | 38 (9.2%) | 16 (3.9%) |
K12 | Annual influenza immunization is recommended for all health-care professionals in contact with individuals in high-risk groups | 404 (98.1%) | 8 (1.9%) | 0 (0%) |
K13 | Anyone can get very sick from influenza, including people who are healthy | 334 (81.1%) | 66 (16%) | 12 (2.9%) |
D3: Contraindications and precautions to vaccination | ||||
K14 | Pneumococcal vaccination is contraindicated for asplenic (without a spleen) patients | 107 (26%) | 103 (25%) | 202 (49%) |
K15 | Breastfeeding is a contraindication to vaccination | 292 (70.9%) | 47 (11.3%) | 73 (17.8%) |
K16 | Pregnant women who are expected to deliver during the influenza season should not receive the influenza vaccine | 300 (72.8%) | 56 (13.6%) | 56 (13.6%) |
K17 | Anaphylactic reaction to a previous dose of vaccine or a vaccine component is a contraindication to further doses of the same vaccine or to the same component in other vaccines | 387 (93.9%) | 7 (1.5%) | 18 (4.4%) |
K18 | Persons receiving immunosuppressive medications should not receive the influenza vaccine | 204 (49.5%) | 134 (32.5%) | 74 (18%) |
K19 | Live-virus vaccines (MMRII…) should be postponed until after chemotherapy or high-dose steroid has ended | 342 (83%) | 25 (6.3%) | 45 (10.7%) |
D4: Storage and administration of vaccine | ||||
K20 | Improper storage of vaccines may affect the immune response of the vaccine recipient | 384 (93.2%) | 7 (1.7%) | 21 (5.1%) |
K21 | Stabilizers protect the vaccine during storage and transportation | 356 (86.4%) | 26 (6.3%) | 30 (7.3%) |
K22 | Inactivated vaccines may be administrated at the same time or at any time before or after a live vaccine | 187 (45.4%) | 112 (27.2%) | 113 (27.4%) |
K23 | A person who received a live vaccine should wait 28 days before receiving another live vaccine | 291 (70.6%) | 48 (11.7%) | 73 (17.7%) |
D5: Adverse reactions following vaccination | ||||
K24 | Local adverse reaction such as pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site generally occurred within a few hours of the injection and are usually mild and self-limited | 187 (45.4%) | 219 (53.1%) | 6 (1.5%) |
K25 | Systemic adverse reactions may occur following receipt of live, attenuated vaccines which must replicate to produce immunity | 283 (68.7%) | 85 (20.6%) | 44 (10.7%) |
K26 | A systemic reaction is usually mild and occurs 3–21 days after the vaccine was administrated (incubation period of the vaccine) | 318 (77.2%) | 23 (5.5%) | 71 (17.2%) |
K27 | Severe allergic reactions may be life-threatening but fortunately, they are rare | 386 (93.7%) | 10 (2.4%) | 16 (3.9%) |
K28 | The risk of an allergic reaction can be decreased by effective screening prior to vaccination | 316 (76.7%) | 43 (10.5%) | 53 (12.8%) |
K29 | Providers should report any clinically significant adverse event occurring after administration of the vaccine even if they are unsure whether the vaccine caused the event | 400 (97.1%) | 3 (0.7%) | 9 (2.2%) |