For pharmacies, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout brings exhaustion, but some relief

By one estimate, more than 90% of Americans live within 5 miles of a pharmacy—an important reality as large chains and small community pharmacies prepare to take the national COVID-19 vaccination campaign to the next level. Pharmacies across the country are getting 1 million doses to administer, but the overwhelming demand and supply shortfalls in some jurisdictions are likely to exacerbate the already choppy workflow. The flood of requests for vaccination appointments has been a problem, with non-stop calls and online activity strangling the scheduling process at many pharmacy locations, which also must try to overcome vaccine hesitancy in some communities as well as other hurdles. The burden is well worth it, by all accounts. “This is a learning curve for everyone involved,” explains pharmacist Heather Bartle-Ferrarese, who co-owns Bartle’s Pharmacy in Oxford, NY. She adds that pharmacists have always had an integral role in community health, COVID-19 included. “This is what we do,” agrees Abby Rice, owner of Ward Drug in Oberlin, KS.