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Pharmacist's Perspectives on Administering a COVID-19 Vaccine in Community Pharmacies in Four Balkan Countries

Authors :
Turcu-Stiolica, Adina
Turcu-Stiolica, Adina
Kamusheva, Maria
Bogdan, Maria
Tadić, Ivana
Harasani, Klejda
Subtirelu, Mihaela-Simona
Meca, Andreea-Daniela
Šesto, Sofia
Odalović, Marina
Arsić, Jasmina
Stojkov, Svetlana
Terzieva, Emili
Petrova, Guenka
Turcu-Stiolica, Adina
Turcu-Stiolica, Adina
Kamusheva, Maria
Bogdan, Maria
Tadić, Ivana
Harasani, Klejda
Subtirelu, Mihaela-Simona
Meca, Andreea-Daniela
Šesto, Sofia
Odalović, Marina
Arsić, Jasmina
Stojkov, Svetlana
Terzieva, Emili
Petrova, Guenka
Source :
Frontiers in Public Health
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Community pharmacists expanded their roles and engaged in vaccination services in many countries around the world, but not in Balkan countries. This research aimed to assess the perceptions of pharmacists on involvement in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine administration in four Balkan countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire that was distributed to community pharmacists across these countries between February and March 2021. A total of 636 community pharmacists were included in the analysis of the survey. The willingness to administer vaccines for COVID-19 (or other vaccines well established in the practice, like a flu vaccine) in community pharmacies is significantly different among the countries: the pharmacists from Albania were more willing to administer vaccines. The factors associated with the eagerness to vaccinate are almost the same among the countries: the lack of training in the faculty classes and the lack of a special place where to administer vaccines. Additional significant factors were found in Bulgaria (pharmacists from independent pharmacies wanted more than the pharmacists working in chain pharmacies to administer vaccines) and in Serbia (male pharmacists agreed more with administering vaccines than female pharmacists). Further national reforms are needed for adopting the expanding role of community pharmacists.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Journal :
Frontiers in Public Health
Notes :
Frontiers in Public Health
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1292730172
Document Type :
Electronic Resource