Pharmacist's Perspectives on Administering a COVID-19 Vaccine in Community Pharmacies in Four Balkan Countries

Abstract

Community pharmacists expanded their roles and engaged in vaccination services in many countries around the world, but not in Balkan countries. This research aimed to assess the perceptions of pharmacists on involvement in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine administration in four Balkan countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire that was distributed to community pharmacists across these countries between February and March 2021. A total of 636 community pharmacists were included in the analysis of the survey. The willingness to administer vaccines for COVID-19 (or other vaccines well established in the practice, like a flu vaccine) in community pharmacies is significantly different among the countries: the pharmacists from Albania were more willing to administer vaccines. The factors associated with the eagerness to vaccinate are almost the same among the countries: the lack of training in the faculty classes and the lack of a special place where to administer vaccines. Additional significant factors were found in Bulgaria (pharmacists from independent pharmacies wanted more than the pharmacists working in chain pharmacies to administer vaccines) and in Serbia (male pharmacists agreed more with administering vaccines than female pharmacists). Further national reforms are needed for adopting the expanding role of community pharmacists.

Experiences of community pharmacists administering COVID-19 vaccinations: A qualitative study

“…Although the effect of pandemic-related stressors on the mental well-being and burnout of nurses and physicians is well documented, [7][8][9][10] less is known about pharmacists' perceptions of their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic and more specifically how vaccinations have contributed to burnout experienced within the profession during the pandemic thus far. [11][12][13][14] The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of pharmacists about their vaccinator role during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is part of a series included in this supplement to the Canadian Pharmacists Journal that together summarize the findings of a program of research funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, examining community pharmacy vaccination services and integrating a vaccination delivery framework (Comfort Ask Relax Distract; CARD) to improve the experiences of vaccine clients and pharmacy staff.…”

Community pharmacists' participation in adult vaccination: A cross‐sectional survey based on the theoretical domains framework

“…However, many of these studies had limitations including small sample size and lack of theoretical frameworks to drive the research. 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 …”

“…Several studies have assessed pharmacists' experiences, practices and attitudes towards vaccination around the globe. However, many of these studies had limitations including small sample size and lack of theoretical frameworks to drive the research 19–26 …”

“…However, many of these studies had limitations including small sample size and lack of theoretical frameworks to drive the research. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] There are varying policies and regulations regarding community pharmacists' involvement in vaccination worldwide; however, there is a trend to expand their role as vaccination administrators especially after the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease) pandemic. FIP published an updated global report in 2020 regarding pharmacists' role in immunization, which involved 99 countries and territories.…”

COVID-19 vaccinations in German pharmacies: A survey on patient and provider satisfaction

“…A recent survey found that pharmacies are regarded as ideal vaccination settings by the population [8] . However, by spring 2021 only few jurisdictions in Europe permitted pharmacists to conduct COVID-19 vaccinations [1] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] . Moreover, there is a sometimes shameful controversy among healthcare providers on who is eligible to provide vaccinations and who is not, instead of reaching out for higher vaccination rates [13] , [14] .…”