Potential Operational Efficiencies of a Combination Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccine in US Pharmacies
Author(s)
Carolyn Sweeney, MS1, Kimberly Boyle, MS1, Sarah Calhoun, PhD2, Eric Davenport, MS1, Wei-Jhih Wang, PhD3, Darshan Mehta, MBA, PhD3.
1RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 2RTI Health Solution, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 3Moderna, Cambridge, MA, USA.
1RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 2RTI Health Solution, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA, 3Moderna, Cambridge, MA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and quantify potential operational efficiencies associated with the introduction of a combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine in US community pharmacy settings.
METHODS: This noninterventional, cross-sectional study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with a quantitative web-based survey. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of pharmacists who administer vaccines in commercial pharmacy settings across the US. Insights from these interviews informed the development of a structured quantitative survey, which was then administered to a convenience sample of approximately 250 pharmacists, with 70% from large retail chains and 30% from independent pharmacies. Responses were analyzed to understand existing workflow activities and explore potential operational efficiencies associated with introducing a combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine.
RESULTS: Among the 10 pharmacists interviewed, 30% were pharmacy directors. On average, participants had 22.5 years of pharmacy experience (range: 9-35) and 16.4 years of experience administering vaccines (range: 12-20). Interviewees estimated that using a combination vaccine instead of separate influenza and COVID-19 vaccines could save approximately 5 minutes per vaccination. These time savings were attributed to reduced preparation, administration, documentation, and insurance processing. For the quantitative survey, a total of 267 pharmacists were sampled, with an average of 13.4 years’ experience in vaccine administration (range: 3-26). Survey findings supported the qualitative insights, with pharmacists reporting that a second vaccine—whether planned or unplanned—requires substantial additional time to prepare, administer, document, and process insurance claims.
CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of a combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine may enhance workflow efficiency for pharmacists. These operational improvements have the potential to increase patient throughput and support higher vaccination coverage during respiratory virus seasons, contributing to broader public health benefits.
METHODS: This noninterventional, cross-sectional study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with a quantitative web-based survey. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of pharmacists who administer vaccines in commercial pharmacy settings across the US. Insights from these interviews informed the development of a structured quantitative survey, which was then administered to a convenience sample of approximately 250 pharmacists, with 70% from large retail chains and 30% from independent pharmacies. Responses were analyzed to understand existing workflow activities and explore potential operational efficiencies associated with introducing a combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine.
RESULTS: Among the 10 pharmacists interviewed, 30% were pharmacy directors. On average, participants had 22.5 years of pharmacy experience (range: 9-35) and 16.4 years of experience administering vaccines (range: 12-20). Interviewees estimated that using a combination vaccine instead of separate influenza and COVID-19 vaccines could save approximately 5 minutes per vaccination. These time savings were attributed to reduced preparation, administration, documentation, and insurance processing. For the quantitative survey, a total of 267 pharmacists were sampled, with an average of 13.4 years’ experience in vaccine administration (range: 3-26). Survey findings supported the qualitative insights, with pharmacists reporting that a second vaccine—whether planned or unplanned—requires substantial additional time to prepare, administer, document, and process insurance claims.
CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of a combination influenza/COVID-19 vaccine may enhance workflow efficiency for pharmacists. These operational improvements have the potential to increase patient throughput and support higher vaccination coverage during respiratory virus seasons, contributing to broader public health benefits.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
HSD90
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
Vaccines