OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine strategies to implement influenza pandemic vaccinations effectively at grocery store chain community pharmacies. METHODS: Clinical pharmacy coordinators and pharmacy managers representing 3 grocery store chain community pharmacies across Pennsylvania were identified for participation in semistructured telephone interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were independently coded by 2 investigators and coding discrepancies were resolved. A thematic analysis was conducted, and supporting quotes were selected for each theme. RESULTS: Twelve pharmacists participated in the interviews, which were conducted from September 2016 to November 2017. Five key themes were identified: (1) mobilize pharmacy staff members to specific locations to prepare for a high volume of vaccinations; (2) implement vaccination clinics during high-volume scenarios; (3) utilize nonpharmacy spaces to increase vaccination capabilities; (4) determine vaccine distribution by highest risk populations that each pharmacy serves; and (5) conduct training customized to the pharmacy chain that supplements national pandemic influenza training. CONCLUSION: Grocery store chain community pharmacies are desirable sites for pandemic vaccination because of a variety of factors, such as space and staffing flexibility. Developing a pandemic vaccination plan will enable community pharmacists to contribute more effectively during influenza pandemics.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine strategies to implement influenza pandemic vaccinations effectively at grocery store chain community pharmacies. METHODS: Clinical pharmacy coordinators and pharmacy managers representing 3 grocery store chain community pharmacies across Pennsylvania were identified for participation in semistructured telephone interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were independently coded by 2 investigators and coding discrepancies were resolved. A thematic analysis was conducted, and supporting quotes were selected for each theme. RESULTS: Twelve pharmacists participated in the interviews, which were conducted from September 2016 to November 2017. Five key themes were identified: (1) mobilize pharmacy staff members to specific locations to prepare for a high volume of vaccinations; (2) implement vaccination clinics during high-volume scenarios; (3) utilize nonpharmacy spaces to increase vaccination capabilities; (4) determine vaccine distribution by highest risk populations that each pharmacy serves; and (5) conduct training customized to the pharmacy chain that supplements national pandemic influenza training. CONCLUSION: Grocery store chain community pharmacies are desirable sites for pandemic vaccination because of a variety of factors, such as space and staffing flexibility. Developing a pandemic vaccination plan will enable community pharmacists to contribute more effectively during influenza pandemics.
Authors: Adina Turcu-Stiolica; Maria Kamusheva; Maria Bogdan; Ivana Tadic; Klejda Harasani; Mihaela-Simona Subtirelu; Andreea-Daniela Meca; Sofia Šesto; Marina Odalović; Jasmina Arsić; Svetlana Stojkov; Emili Terzieva; Guenka Petrova Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2021-11-25