Walgreens Vaccines: Combating Hesitancy & Expanding Co-Admin
- In an interview with Pharmacy Times®, Samantha Picking, PharmD, senior director of immunizations at Walgreens, discussed how pharmacy teams are addressing vaccine hesitancy and preparing for a respiratory...
- Picking also highlighted the growing demand for vaccine co-administration, particularly among seniors, and described how Walgreens pharmacists are trained to guide patients on timing, eligibility, and test-to-treat services...
- This is part 2 of a 2-part interview. You can watch part 1 here.
“`html
Walgreens Addresses Vaccine Hesitancy and Prepares for Respiratory Season
Table of Contents
In an interview with Pharmacy Times®, Samantha Picking, PharmD, senior director of immunizations at Walgreens, discussed how pharmacy teams are addressing vaccine hesitancy and preparing for a respiratory season complicated by influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Picking emphasized the pharmacist’s role in dispelling common myths, providing evidence-based education, and responding to outbreaks, noting that Walgreens nearly doubled MMR vaccine administration earlier this year amid measles surges.
Picking also highlighted the growing demand for vaccine co-administration, particularly among seniors, and described how Walgreens pharmacists are trained to guide patients on timing, eligibility, and test-to-treat services for flu and COVID-19.
This is part 2 of a 2-part interview. You can watch part 1 here.
Addressing Patient Concerns and Misinformation
Pharmacy Times: With shifting public health guidance and persistent vaccine hesitation, how is your team addressing patient concerns or misinformation at the point of care, and are you tailoring educational strategies based on these lessons?
Samantha Picking, PharmD: Yeah, we continue to see common misconceptions like the flu vaccine causing the flu or concerns about side effects. These may delay or deter eligible patients from getting vaccinated, which is troubling because vaccine-preventable viruses like flu, measles, and pneumonia are highly contagious. This is where our pharmacy teams play a big role. As pharmacists, we’re not just administering vaccines-we’re listening to patients, addressing concerns, and providing evidence-based guidance. Each year, our teams receive extensive training and assessments to ensure they can properly educate customers about vaccines, the latest updates, and testing and treatment options, all while administering them in compliance with recommendations and state laws. For example, during the recent measles outbreaks, we quickly activated our teams in Texas and other hotspots to educate and administer MMR vaccines. Walgreens nearly doubled MMR vaccine administration earlier this year.
The Role of Pharmacists in Vaccine Education
Pharmacists are increasingly vital in addressing public health concerns related to vaccination. their accessibility and trusted position within the community make them ideal for dispelling myths and providing accurate information. Walg