May 2, 2002 National Immunization Conference Denver, Colorado Pharmacists – A Valuable Partner in Community Emergency Response and Preparation – Learnings over the past year May 2, 2002 National Immunization Conference Denver, Colorado

What Kind of Event? events caused by weapons of mass-destruction biological, chemical, nuclear or other accidents natural disaster hurricanes, earthquakes pandemics

Emergency Response / DOD Serving the Community Community Emergency Response / DOD Distributors, Manufacturers and NPS Public Health Private Providers

Pharmacists’ Role in Emergency Preparedness and Response Surveillance Information Patient education and counseling Distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies Administration of vaccines Evaluation / Triage Community planning and preparation

Definitions: pharmacies are included in the definition of “health care facility” and pharmacists are included in the definition of “health care provider”

“ We're talking about more than putting pills in a bottle (or bag)..." - Patient Education & Counseling - Administration of Vaccines - Evaluation / Triage

How Will a 12-Hour Push Package be Delivered? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What a 12-hour Push Package looks like in the cargo area of a wide-body aircraft.

How Do I Reach Everyone That Needs to Be Vaccinated?

Who Is H.E.B.? Regional Supermarket Chain located in Central and South Texas, Louisiana and Mexico 162 pharmacies Employ 500 pharmacists

Pharmacy Immunization Based Program Began in 1999 with five immunizers in the San Antonio Area Currently over 200 pharmacist immunizers available in 145 retail pharmacies in Central and South Texas

Year Round Immunization Program Since 1999: Approximately 89,000 flu & 6,000 pneumonia shots have been administered. Expansion of program in Spring 2002 to include: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia, Meningitis, Td (when available).

Benefits of a Pharmacy Based Immunization Program Improve immunization rates Adult & adolescent population Greater access to care Pharmacies are convenient Big success in smaller towns and rural areas Reached many who did not have a medical home Partnership with Health Departments Pandemic Planning Bioterrorism Planning

In Times of an Emergency How Do We Reach Everyone? Pharmacy Task Force – Established in Oct. 2001 for the SA area as part of a larger community task force Develop a plan for the implementation of a community medication or vaccine delivery system (still in draft form)

Identify the Providers of Care H.E.B. Pharmacy 44 pharmacies in the SA and surrounding area Health Department 7 facilities Hospitals Military Bases Clinics

Role of the Pharmacists Transportation and Storage issues - Receiving and breaking down of vaccine - Distribution of vaccine and supplies Administration of Vaccines Pharmacy Immunization Based Programs Host site for nurses or other health professionals.

Pharmacy’s Role Transportation and Storage Use of refrigerated trailers Delivery to storage site Delivery to administration sites Use of refrigerated storage space Retail warehouse space Hospital pharmacy space Pharmacy wholesaler space Health department vaccine storage depot

Where Do We Administer? Large Distribution of Vaccine Identified large venues in SA Coliseum – adequate parking facilities Smaller Distribution of Vaccine Pharmacies Inside the pharmacies Outside in a tent

Who Will Administer? 44 Pharmacy locations Pharmacist Immunizers available Standing Orders Nurses Students Pharmacy School Medical School Nursing School Medical Assistant School

How Do We Keep Records? Rx Tracking Reported to Health Department National Data Corporation (NDC) Capture Patient information Type of vaccine Reported to Health Department San Antonio Immunization Tracking System Any tracking system available

PHARMACISTS ARE A VALUABLE RESOURCE – INVOLVE THEM! Involve Pharmacists! Trusted Professional Accessible Currently 32 states have authorized pharmacists to immunize Invite them to participate in coalitions, task forces, conferences PHARMACISTS ARE A VALUABLE RESOURCE – INVOLVE THEM!