Questions to Ask About the New COVID Vaccine Coming Into Your Pharmacy
The delivery of the new vaccine is just a few weeks away and that time is going to fly. The speedy development and difficult logistical challenges have had a tremendous amount of effort applied to them in order for pharmacies of all types to receive this vaccine.
The gap that Health Care Logistics has seen is after the vaccine has been delivered to the pharmacy. Facilities of all types are calling in as they try to figure out how to handle it once received in the pharmacy.
All good questions that can have many different answers depending on where you work. No doubt you have answered many of these already, but maybe there is one that slipped by.
Take a look at the attached list and share any thoughts you have with me. I’d like to get as many points of view out there to share with others who have questions. The answers to these are a moving target as the approval gets closer and stability data becomes available.
1) Do you have the proper gloves to handle sub-zero items?
2) Do you know how to thaw the vaccine?
3) Do you have enough needles and syringes to draw the doses?
4) Will the doses be drawn in a sterile or non-sterile area?
If sterile, have you considered expiration, clean room supplies, and man hours
If non-sterile, it will have to be drawn up at the time of injection
5) Do you know the shelf life at different temperature ranges?
6) How will the product be delivered to the vaccination location(s)?
7) Has scheduling of injections been done to avoid lines and unneeded gatherings?
8) Has scheduling, if done, taken doses per vial into account?
9) How will the COVID vaccine be segregated from other vaccines and medications to prevent errors?
10) Do you have an accurate method to monitor the vaccine’s temperature from Freezer or fridge to vaccination location, including preparation?
11) If using dry ice for continued use of shipping container: do you know where to buy it and how to transport to the cooler?
12) Has security of the vaccine been considered as it is a high demand item?
13) Do you have a plan for educating pharmacy staff and other caregivers about handling the vaccine?
Kyle Sharpe
VP of Sales, Health Care Logistics
740-637-2218