Abstract
We conducted a survey on the immunization requirements of the students in the fourth year of the 4-year-course departments of pharmacy in Japan by using a self-administered questionnaire, which was mailed to the directors of the institutes. Of the 61 departments invited, 54 responded. Program of seroprevalence examination or vaccination was not in place against measles, rubella, mumps and varicella, and hepatitis B in 31.5% (17/54), 53.7% (29/54), 57.4% (31/54), and 68.5% (37/54), respectively. Surveillance of the history of infection and vaccination was carried out in 21 departments, but only 5 departments insisted on documented evidence of immunity. Students who were proven to be susceptible to these diseases were required to receive immunization in most departments that performed seroprevalence examination. Seroprevalence examination was carried out in colleges in 83.3% (25/30), and the expenses were born by department in 70.0% (21/30). On the other hand, vaccination was carried out in colleges in 30.0% (9/30), and the expenses were born by department in 6.7% (2/30). Of the 54 departments, 29, 11, and 3 departments executed these programs in the 3rd year, 4th year, and at the time of admission, respectively. Influenza vaccination during the year of clinical clerkship and tuberculosis skin test was required in 20.4% (11/54) and 37.0% (20/54), respectively; these were carried out in the colleges in 8 and 19 departments and the expenses were born by department in 1 and 18 departments, respectively. Countermeasures against these infectious diseases were found to be insufficient in most departments of pharmacy.
