What is this study trying to find out about recommended but unfunded vaccines?

This study is evaluating whether a co-payment model in community pharmacies can improve access and uptake of recommended but unfunded vaccines. It aims to understand if sharing vaccine costs between patients, insurers, and government increases vaccination rates. The Canadian Immunization Research Network leads this research to address cost barriers limiting vaccine use.

Who may be eligible for this preventable disease vaccine clinical trial?

People aged 2 years and older who meet the specific vaccine eligibility criteria may participate. The study is open to all genders and includes those without private insurance covering the vaccine cost. Participants must be willing to receive vaccines at community pharmacies. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this preventable disease vaccine clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the vaccine and administration fees, is provided at reduced cost based on the co-payment model being tested. Personal travel or other expenses are not guaranteed to be covered and may vary. Participants should expect some out-of-pocket costs depending on the assigned co-payment step.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 2Years +

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID06489964

Evaluating a Co-Payment Model to Improve Access to Recommended but Unfunded Vaccines in Community Pharmacies in Nova Scotia and Ontario

Led by Canadian Immunization Research Network · Updated on 2026-03-19

600

Participants Needed

Research Sites

N/A

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore the acceptability and feasibility of a co-payment model for recommended but unfunded vaccines in community pharmacies in Nova Scotia and Ontario. Many vaccines recommended by Canadas National Advisory Committee on Immunization are not publicly funded, which may limit vaccine uptake due to cost barriers. The study evaluates whether sharing vaccine costs between patients, private insurers, and the government can improve access and increase vaccination rates. The study involves a pilot of four different co-payment steps at up to eight community pharmacy sites, with each site randomly assigned to one step. These steps range from patients paying the full vaccine cost to full coverage by the study, with varying government and participant cost shares for vaccine and administration fees. Vaccines included are FluMist Quadrivalent, Shingrix, and Abrysvo or Arexvy RSV vaccines. Pharmacy providers will administer vaccines as part of routine care during the study. Participants will receive vaccines at reduced costs based on the assigned co-payment model and complete online surveys about their experiences and satisfaction. Pharmacy providers will also complete surveys about implementing the model. Researchers will track vaccine administration numbers before and during the pilot. The study will run for up to 30 months, with primary outcomes measured over 6 months, focusing on the models acceptability and feasibility among the public and providers.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Addressing Unfunded Vaccines Through a Co-payment Mechanism in Pharmacies

Who Can Participate

Age: 2Years +

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Community pharmacy sites are chosen based on prescription volume, patient stability, pharmacy professional availability, and geographic separation to minimize healthcare spill over.
Members of the public or their decision-makers who meet vaccine-specific eligibility criteria and consent to participate.
Eligible vaccines include FluMist Quadrivalent for children 2-17 years without contraindications, Shingrix for adults 50-64 (NS) or 50+ (ON) without contraindications, and RSV vaccines (Abrysvo or Arexvy) for adults 50+ or 60+ at increased risk.
Participants must be willing to receive vaccines at participating community pharmacies as part of routine care.

You will not qualify if you...

FluMist Quadrivalent is excluded for children and adolescents with contraindications, those already immunized, pregnant individuals, healthcare workers, adults 18-59 with certain chronic conditions, adults 60+ years, and those with private insurance covering most or all of the vaccine.
Shingrix is excluded for persons with active herpes zoster, those already immunized, adults 65+ in NS and 65-70 in ON due to public funding, and those with private insurance covering most or all of the vaccine.
RSV vaccines are excluded for persons under 50 years (except Abrysvo in pregnancy), those already immunized, adults 60+ in NS in long-term care or awaiting placement, high-risk older adults in ON, and those with private insurance covering most or all of the vaccine.

Research Team

Melissa Kervin, MA

Emily Black, PharmD

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Evaluating a Co-Payment Model to Improve Access to Recommended but Unfunded Vaccines in Community Pharmacies in Nova Scotia and Ontario

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Brief Title

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria

Research Team

Not the Right Trial for You?

On this page

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria