Immunization

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Michael Flannery, PharmD, of the University of Rochester Medical Center, on the process that the hospital pharmacy has developed for vaccinations following the arrival of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

The announcement came hours after the companies disclosed that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) had issued a positive opinion to authorize the vaccine.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Michael Flannery, PharmD, the assistant director of pharmacy operations at the University of Rochester Medical Center, on the concerns he has regarding the COVID-19 vaccination process ahead.

The action allows for medicinal products to be authorized on a conditional basis for seriously debilitating or life-threatening diseases or for use in emergency situations in response to public health threats in the European Union.

The ACIP advises the CDC on the populations and circumstances for which vaccines should be used.

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) has been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA, making it the second vaccine to be issued an EUA for combating the virus.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Sue Peschin, president and CEO of Alliance for Aging Research, on the work that the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project is doing to engage diverse constituencies on the importance of the clinical trials process, regulatory review, and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

The additional doses bring the EC’s confirmed order commitment to 160 million doses, which will commence from the company’s dedicated European supply chain.

Pharmacists can now play a larger role in increasing vaccination rates, while pharmacies can continue to be safe and convenient settings in which patients can receive vaccines.

If granted an EUA by the FDA, mRNA-1273 would become the second COVID-19 vaccine to receive the designation.

Pharmacy technicians are garnering support from key industry leaders as they rally for more active roles and responsibility.

A thorough understanding of immunization billing processes for Medicare, Medicaid, and other third-party payers will be critical to ensure pharmacy staff can efficiently serve their communities and facilitate a smooth reimbursement process.

Secretary Azar’s emergency declaration under PREP Act allows them to procure, dispense, and administer vaccinations once available.

If more patients are able to receive the vaccine through off-site vaccination clinics, the risk of influenza may be reduced even further.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that individuals who are at higher risk for poor outcomes from infection with vaccine-preventable diseases remain up-to-date with their immunizations.

When children miss routine vaccinations, it poses a major public health threat for increased outbreaks of preventable diseases.

Advise patients it is not too late to get vaccinated and is imperative amid the pandemic.

Because influenza has a long seasonal cycle, the question regarding whether multiple influenza vaccinations, spaced throughout the season, could provide added protection has arisen.

As we head into flu season, count on Directions in Health-System Pharmacy™ to continue to report on the latest developments on COVID-19.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Ramzi Yacoub, chief pharmacy officer at SingleCare, on how data from SingleCare has shown an intense surge in demand for the flu vaccine this year.

Pharmacy Times® interviewed Fred Peruggia, the head of marketing for respiratory and biologics vaccines at AstraZeneca, on the company’s production and distribution of an intranasal flu vaccine for this flu season.

In a statement, CEO B. Douglas Hoey emphasized the important role pharmacists will play in distributing the vaccine once available.

Despite some challenges, these programs increase rates and follow-up doses and improve patient communication.

Room for improvement remains, based on 3 factors identified by WHO: complacency, confidence, and convenience.

Each state is responsible for determining the legality of a statute enacted to protect public health and safety.

Despite the looming uncertainty of whether children will return to the classroom or remain educated at home, it is still important to remind parents that they should confirm their children are up-to-date on their vaccinations.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists has issued a list of best practices to ensure an equitable distribution of the vaccine.

Currently, a total of 2612 vaccines are being investigated for a number of infectious diseases, including Zika, Ebola, Lassa, Nipah, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), HIV, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Pharmacists have become widely accepted as immunization advocates, educators, and administrators, and an increasing proportion of influenza vaccines are being administered in community pharmacies nationwide.

Counseling pearls and considerations for the shingles vaccine, such as navigating insurance coverage, managing adverse events, and handling a missed dose in the series, are discussed.