The Community Pharmacy as a Study Center for the Epidemiological Analysis of the Population Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2: Evaluation of Vaccine Safety and Pharmaceutical Service

Abstract

We conducted a monocentric observational study aimed at evaluating the vaccine safety and the pharmaceutical service provided at a community pharmacy (C.PHARM) in the Puglia Region in the period from 29 December 2021 to 12 March 2022 using data from 550 patients of various ages and sexes and with concomitant diseases. We collected anamnestic data, the number of hospitalizations, and any post-vaccination adverse reactions. Interviews using the integrated EQ5 method were also performed to evaluate the quality of the service offered and any therapy preference. As expected, the vaccines were reactogenic after the first dose in the patients with mild–moderate reactions, with younger age and female gender as risk factors. Immune-allergic reactions of a moderate–severe degree were observed in adult females. In the elderly, the vaccination was well tolerated. Comirnaty® showed a favorable O.R. < 1 vs. other vaccines. No cardiovascular events or hospitalizations were observed up to May 2023. Regional data indicate that all treatments during May 2023 were correlated with the viremia. PaxlovidTM was prescribed in 3% of the patients in our center and in 1.46% in the region, and distributed/dispensed on behalf of third parties in accordance with a novel distribution/dispensation protocol of the C.PHARM that resulted in a safe vaccination center providing appropriate patient inclusion during vaccination.