Pharmacists’ perspectives on efficiencies and other benefits of combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccination

AIMS: To evaluate and quantify potential efficiencies associated with introducing a hypothetical combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine in pharmacy settings in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This noninterventional, cross-sectional study combined qualitative interviews with a quantitative web-based survey. Insights from semistructured interviews of pharmacists who administer vaccines in commercial pharmacy settings were used to develop a quantitative survey, which was administered to a convenience sample of pharmacists. Survey responses were analyzed to understand existing vaccination workflow activities, evaluate benefits and barriers to a combination vaccine, and explore how using a hypothetical combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine could increase operational efficiency. RESULTS: Among the 10 pharmacists interviewed, participants had an average of 22.5 years of pharmacy experience and 16.4 years of experience administering vaccines. Interviewees noted that using a combination vaccine instead of separate influenza and COVID-19 vaccines could improve vaccination workflow efficiency, attributing time savings to reduced preparation, administration, documentation, and insurance processing. The quantitative survey was completed by 267 pharmacists, with an average of 13.4 years' experience in vaccine administration. Whether an appointment or walk-in visit, it was estimated from the survey responses that 11 min could be saved in a single vaccination visit for customers aged ≥ 65 years if administering 1 combination vaccine compared with 2 standalone vaccines during peak vaccination season. Pharmacists reported operational efficiencies and public health benefits of a hypothetical combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine. LIMITATIONS: convenience sampling. Interview and survey responses were self-reported, leading to possible recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists' workflow efficiencies may be gained due to time savings from adopting a combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine. These operational improvements could increase vaccine uptake during respiratory virus seasons and contribute to broader public health benefits.