New Advancements for Shingles Vaccination

The discussion centered on the operational challenges pharmacies face when administering vaccines, particularly the time and efficiency demands of multistep preparation processes. While the preparation itself isn’t overly complex, the cumulative steps increase the risk of errors. Additionally, the cognitive load on pharmacy staff is significant—they often assist one patient while observing other tasks piling up. Innovations like prefilled syringes for flu and COVID-19 vaccines have already shown improvements in streamlining workflow and enhancing patient perception of efficiency.

With the FDA approval of a prefilled syringe for the shingles vaccine, the conversation shifted to how such devices could further impact pharmacy operations. Prefilled syringes reduce both the time and mental burden required for vaccine preparation. They eliminate the need for a dedicated preparation space and simplify the entire immunization process. This improvement not only benefits the pharmacy staff but also expedites service for patients, allowing for quicker and more efficient vaccine delivery.

Supporting this, a study on the respiratory syncytial virus vaccine showed that using prefilled syringes reduced preparation time by 74% compared with vaccines requiring reconstitution. The study also highlighted a significant reduction in preparation errors, which can arise from issues like incorrect diluents, poor mixing, or improper dosing. Overall, the adoption of prefilled syringes improves safety and efficiency for both patients and staff, contributing to a smoother and more reliable vaccination workflow within the pharmacy setting.