Perspectives From Pharmacists, Educators on the Frontlines of COVID-19 Immunizations

2021-03-01 10:56:00
Stacey Maravent, PharmD, CPh, Andrea Murzello, PharmD, and Jessica E. Lendoiro, PharmD
How did a trio of experiential education directors/deans who work so closely together on student and preceptor issues have the same mindset to each get involved with COVID-19 immunizations? That is the question that Stacey Maravent, PharmD, CPh, Andrea Murzello, PharmD, and Jessica E. Lendoiro, PharmD, asked when they met to discuss this new venture.

The trio is excited to have the opportunity to provide direct patient care and to be able to use their training to vaccinate a portion of the population who truly needs to be immunized first. Through their affiliations with CVS and Walgreens, they have collectively immunized more than 2000 patients throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties in Florida. 

They are administering the vaccine in skilled nursing homes (SNFs), assisted living facilities (ALFs), and low-income elder living homes. Once CVS and Walgreens finish with clinics in the SNFs, ALFs, and elder living homes, they each plan to continue immunizing at clinics within stores to be able to reach more of the population. 

Florida’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, determined by the governor, began in December with health care personnel with direct patient contact, long-term care facility residents and staff, persons 65 years and older and persons deemed extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by hospital providers. The state is working to finish phase 1 immunizations and hopes to start with the general public before the summer.

As of February 12, Floridians had access to vaccines at nearly 800 pharmacy locations throughout the state. Residents can register for appointments through retail pharmacy websites. Phase 2 is set to begin this month after the state experiences a significant increase in availability of the vaccine.

The Florida residents who will be eligible to receive the vaccine in March are critical organizations and vulnerable populations at an increased risk of severe illness. Phase 3 is set to begin in April 2021, dependent on the supply of the vaccine. During phase 3 administration, the vaccine will be available to the general public.

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