1.2 Million Indian Pharmacists Becoming Vaccinators

According to new reports, India will launch a training program for about 1.2 million pharmacists to become certified to administer vaccines in May 2023.

The Times of India (TOI) reporter Vaibhav Ganjapure wrote on January 23, 2023, the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) has set a target to empower registered pharmacists to become vaccinators by 2025.

This innovative training is scheduled to commence in May 2023, where pharmacists will be offered digital and real-world training. After completion, they will be provided a certificate from the IPA and World Health Organisation.

Speaking to TOI at the recent 72nd Indian Pharmaceutical Congress, IPA president Prof TV Narayana confirmed the Indian government had already approved this proposal.

The planning for this IPA initiative accelerated during the pandemic.

On June 26, 2021, Dr. Michael D. Katz, Professor and Director of International Programs at the University of Arizona, College of Pharmacy, presented during an IPA webinar on pharmacist engagement in vaccination campaigns in different countries worldwide.

Dr. Katz advocated for enhancing pharmacists' roles during a global health crisis.

Moreover, pharmacists in the United States and the United Kingdom were strategically integrated into vaccination programs during the recent pandemic.

For example, the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program (FRPP) for COVID-19 Vaccination ensured 'main street' access to COVID-19 vaccines for the American public.

As of January 12, 2022, more than 298 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered by about 41,000 pharmacies participating in the FRPP.

This amount includes about 8 million doses administered at long-term care facilities in the early days of the COVID-19 vaccination program.

In the U.S., an amendment to the PREP Act (9th amendment, September 14, 2021) expanded the scope of authority for licensed pharmacists and qualified staff to administer COVID-19 therapeutics subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or orally as authorized, approved, or licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Furthermore, pharmacists have delivered measurable success at the state level.

In Texas, the Immunization Project improved immunization rates for older adult patients. 

The ongoing project helps pharmacies raise vaccination rates and reduce mortality rates.

Furthermore, pharmacies are leading providers of influenza, measles, polio, HPV, and yellow fever vaccination services in 2023.