RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Addressing Unfunded Vaccines Through a Co-payment Mechanism in Pharmacies

This project is testing a new way for people to get recommended vaccines that aren't currently paid for by the government. It's happening in pharmacies in Nova Scotia and Ontario, Canada. The idea is called a 'co-payment model,' where patients pay a part of the cost for the vaccine. Researchers want to find out if this approach makes it easier for people to get these vaccines and whether both the public and pharmacists find it acceptable. They are also checking if this system is practical to set up in pharmacies. The study hopes that by sharing the cost, more people will be able to access important vaccines that protect against illnesses like shingles, flu in children, and RSV in older adults.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Canadian Immunization Research Network

Enrolment target

600

Start

23 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Preventable Disease, Vaccine

What is this study about?

Imagine there are some vaccines that doctors and health experts recommend to keep you healthy, but the government currently doesn't pay for them fully. This means you would usually have to pay the entire cost yourself or through private insurance. This study is looking at a new idea called a 'co-payment model' to make these vaccines more affordable and easier to get.

The main goal is to see if sharing the cost with patients helps more people get these important, but unfunded, vaccines. This could involve the government covering a portion of the cost, making it less expensive for you. Researchers want to understand if this system is practical for pharmacies to run and if both patients and pharmacy staff think it's a good idea.

This project is taking place in a small number of pharmacies in Nova Scotia and Ontario, Canada. They will try out different ways the co-payment could work. By testing this, the researchers hope to find a solution that could help more people protect themselves from preventable diseases, even if full government funding for certain vaccines isn't yet available.

Key takeaways

This study explores a new way to make recommended vaccines more affordable.
It tests a 'co-payment' idea in pharmacies for certain vaccines.
The goal is to see if more people get vaccinated and if the system works well.
You might get a recommended vaccine at a reduced cost.
Your feedback through a survey is an important part of the study.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you would first need to be in one of the specific pharmacies chosen for the project in Nova Scotia or Ontario. The pharmacies themselves were selected based on how busy they are, if they have regular patients, and if they have enough staff trained to give vaccinations.

If you are a patient, the pharmacy would check if you meet the specific age and health requirements for the vaccines being studied. For example, for the flu vaccine, it's for children aged 2 to 17. For the shingles vaccine, it's for adults 50 or over (or 18+ if you have a weakened immune system). For the RSV vaccine, it's for adults 50 or over. If you meet these criteria and are interested, you could be invited to join.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you able to visit a participating pharmacy in Nova Scotia or Ontario?
Are you, or a dependent, aged 2-17 for flu, 50+ for shingles (or 18+ if immunocompromised), or 50+ for RSV?
Are you generally healthy enough to receive a vaccine?
Are you interested in getting a recommended vaccine at a lower cost?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, when you visit one of the selected pharmacies, you might be offered a recommended vaccine at a reduced cost. This is part of the 'co-payment' idea. After you receive the vaccine, you would be asked to complete an online survey. This survey would ask about what you thought of the co-payment system, how satisfied you were, your general thoughts on vaccines, and some basic information about yourself (like age or gender). There aren't any extra visits or follow-up appointments beyond the standard care for receiving a vaccine.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of joining this study is that you might be able to receive a recommended vaccine at a lower cost than usual, helping to protect your health. As with any vaccine, there are potential risks of side effects, which are usually mild and temporary (like a sore arm). The specific risks will be discussed by your pharmacist before you receive any vaccine. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (2)

Dalhousie University
Verified postcode
Halifax, Canada· Recruiting
University of Waterloo
Verified postcode
Kitchener, Canada· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'co-payment model'?

It's a system where the cost of a vaccine is shared; you pay a part, and another party (like the government) pays the rest, making it more affordable for you.

Which vaccines are included in this study?

The study includes specific vaccines for flu in children (2-17), shingles in adults (50+ or 18+ if immunocompromised), and RSV in adults (50+).

Why aren't these vaccines fully funded already?

While health experts recommend them, governments sometimes need time to assess the financial impact before adding new vaccines to public funding.

Will I have to pay to join this study?

You will be asked to pay a reduced portion of the vaccine cost as part of the co-payment model, but you won't pay a fee to join the study itself.

How long will the study last for me?

Your participation mainly involves receiving the vaccine and completing a short online survey afterwards. There are no long-term follow-up requirements for patients.

How to find out more

Melissa Kervin, MA

melissa.kervin@iwk.nshealth.ca 902-470-7583 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.