The Pharmacists' Role in Disease Outbreaks: Navigating the Dynamics of Uncertainty Before, During, and After Disease Outbreaks

Abstract

Vaccination rates are on the decline as parents avoid doctor's visits with their children. In addition, the antivaccination movement has led to a significant portion of the population remaining unvaccinated or undervaccinated. Outbreaks in the United States within the past year have highlighted the need for better education and communication regarding the efficacy and safety of vaccinations as well as important steps to reduce disease transmission. Patients may be fearful and have questions about how these outbreaks will affect themselves and their families, especially those in immunocompromised states and pregnant women. Pharmacists are poised to provide this education and start a dialogue with patients and other health care professionals with regard to disease outbreaks. Additionally, in times of outbreak, pharmacists encounter obscure questions from both healthy and at-risk populations that fear contraction of a particular disease. The purpose of this commentary is to describe previous outbreaks and to explore the pharmacists' role in disease prevention.

Pharmacy Vaccinations

“…Pharmacists play an essential role in countering anti-vaccination campaigns, which act as a major hindrance to vaccination programs. For instance, in 1998, The Lancet published a Wakefield and colleagues investigation which associated health complications such as autism to measles vaccination 5 . This comprised of a major anti-vaccination movement.…”

“…During pandemic outbreaks, pharmacists play an essential role in ensuring that individuals identified receive timely vaccination and are isolated in good time, preventing further transmissions. This happens through close collaboration with other public health and government authorities and international health organizations such as the world health organization 6 . During pandemics, Clinical Social Work and Health Intervention Vol.…”

Community pharmacists' preparedness and responses to COVID‐19 pandemic: A multinational study

“…Historically, during outbreaks, community pharmacists have been the first point of contact for the provision of health care services, and they played a substantial role in containing viral outbreaks. For example, community pharmacists participated in administering the influenza vaccine during the influenza outbreak in the United States of America (USA) during 2014 and 2015 10,11 . During the current COVID‐19 pandemic, community pharmacists have also significantly contributed to promoting public health, preventing and managing different medical conditions, ensuring the continuity of patient care and the provision of medications, testing for COVID‐19, and advocating for vaccination 12 .…”

“…For example, community pharmacists participated in administering the influenza vaccine during the influenza outbreak in the United States of America (USA) during 2014 and 2015. 10,11 During the current COVID-19 pandemic, community pharmacists have also significantly contributed to promoting public health, preventing and managing different medical conditions, ensuring the continuity of patient care and the provision of medications, testing for COVID-19, and advocating for vaccination. 12 Moreover, patients with suspected COVID-19 symptoms usually seek medical help from the most easily accessible health care facilities such as community pharmacies.…”