1. 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

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

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

4. 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

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

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

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

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

9. How Do I Reach Everyone That Needs to Be Vaccinated?

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

11. 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

12. 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).

13. 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

14. In Times of an Emergency How Do We Reach Everyone?
Pharmacy Task Force – Established in Oct 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)

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

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

20. 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

21. 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!