Pharmacists can reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy through honest, nonjudgmental communication and by using every patient touchpoint as an opportunity to offer vaccination.
As respiratory virus season gets underway, COVID-19 continues to pose a risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death, yet vaccine hesitancy remains a persistent barrier to protecting patients. Pharmacists, as some of the most accessible health care providers, are well positioned to address patient concerns and expand access to COVID-19 vaccination in the community.
In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Jeff Goad, PharmD, MPH, professor of pharmacy practice at Chapman University School of Pharmacy, said pharmacists can best address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy by being honest, providing accurate information, and avoiding judgment, while recognizing the additional baggage COVID-19 vaccines carry compared with other vaccines. He explained that every patient visit to the pharmacy is an opportunity to discuss vaccination, from shelf talkers in over-the-counter aisles to prescription pickups and consultations. Goad emphasized creating multiple access points, with technicians, clerks, and pharmacists all able to start the conversation and let patients know they are at risk and can be vaccinated on the spot. He added that although many individuals may be done with COVID-19, the disease still produces about 2 peaks each year, and available vaccines remain highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death.
Pharmacy Times: Can you please introduce yourself?
Jeff Goad, PharmD, MPH: Hi, I’m Jeff Goad. I’m a professor of pharmacy practice at Chapman University.
Pharmacy Times: What communication strategies work best for pharmacists addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy?
Goad: I think when addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, the key is to be honest with patients, give them the correct information, and don’t be judgmental at the beginning. Obviously, COVID, unlike other vaccines, has come with a lot of extra baggage that it shouldn’t have, but it does. So, we need to be conscious of that and meet patients where they are.
Pharmacy Times: How can pharmacies integrate COVID-19 vaccination, including co-administration with other vaccines, into routine workflows?
Goad: I think every time a patient enters the pharmacy, it’s an opportunity, from shelf talkers that identify, you know, patients as they’re looking for over-the-counter products to picking up a medication. A technician might initiate a conversation, or a clerk, or the pharmacist themselves during a consultation or other services. So, the key is multiple access points to make sure that you always have an opportunity to let patients know that you have the COVID-19 vaccination, they are at risk, and you can give it to them now.
Pharmacy Times: Is there anything you would like to add?
Goad: One of my favorite sayings is that a lot of individuals may be done with COVID, but COVID is not done with us. So, we still need to be aware that every year we see about two peaks of this disease, and the COVID-19 vaccines that are available are still very effective at keeping you out of the hospital and keeping you from dying from this disease.
