Preparedness for a pandemic: Independent community pharmacists’ experiences delivering COVID-19 vaccines

OBJECTIVE: To identify the experiences and preparedness for independent community pharmacies to deliver COVID-19 vaccines. DESIGN: A mixed-methods study collected quantitative and qualitative data. Setting and participants: Every independent community pharmacy providing COVID-19 vaccines in North Dakota. OUTCOME MEASURES: During state-required site visits, quantitative data determined by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)–developed reviewer guide were collected on each pharmacy’s preparedness on vaccine provision and quality assurance to provide COVID-19 vaccines. Qualitative data to describe the lived experiences of pharmacists were collected through site visit documentation and semistructured interviews with participating pharmacists. RESULTS: Fifty-two pharmacies received site visits. All visited pharmacies met full compliance with CDC’s reviewer guide for billing and documentation of vaccine, vaccine procedures, recipient communication, and handling of ancillary supplies. Pharmacies varied in their compliance of vaccine storage and handling requirements. Forty-three interviews yielded 4 main themes about pharmacies’ role in vaccination during the pandemic: (1) professional role, (2) accessibility, (3) patient relations, and (4) community role. CONCLUSION: Site visits demonstrated that independent community pharmacies were prepared to provide COVID-19 vaccines in response to public need, despite varying degrees of experience with and provision of routine immunizations. Interviews revealed that pharmacists recognized their important contribution to COVID-19 vaccine provision efforts.