Pharmacist talks COVID vaccine, struggles with receiving doses
While the nation continues to grasp through this challenging time during the COVID- 19 pandemic, Community Care Rx Pharmacy in Malvern is requesting all patients and customers to consider patience during the vaccination process.
Shelyn Davis, pharmacy manager/ pharmacist at Community Care Rx emphasized the importance of the vaccine and feels honored the pharmacy has been able to distribute what doses of the COVID- 19 vaccine it received to the public. But, Davis asks that because the pharmacy doesn't have all of its needed resources of the COVID- 19 vaccine at this time, the staff will continue the process as soon as more supplies arrives.
Davis mentioned how much she and her staff admire and love to help all of their patients. She knows this has been a difficult process, but wants to inform everyone that the pharmacy will indeed help each person with the COVID- 19 vaccine.
Davis added this has been challenging and the workload has increased significantly, but she hopes everyone can stay positive. The pharmacy is here to help save lives and is a part of the solution to end the pandemic, she said.
Davis noted pharmacies were tasked to give the COVID- 19 vaccine to healthcare providers and first responders during the week of January 4 through 15. She said Hot Spring County residents of the age 70 and over and school employees received the COVID- 19 vaccine during this week of January 18, but supplies were severely minimized.
"We received 100 out of 1,000 vaccines— but we are trying our best and we want to immunize all who want it," Davis said.
She stated this is going to take some time to get everyone in Phase 1B vaccinated unless vaccine manufacturing speeds up. About 440,000 Arkansas became eligible for the COVID vaccine recently. Arkansas is receiving 35,000 doses this week. Pharmacists are moving as quickly as possible and managing the increased demand by using scheduling or waitlist platforms.
Hot Spring County Judge Dennis Thornton also has emphasized his concerns about the vaccination and has addressed to the public that a plan is being put in place to service the county and community during this situation.
"Hot Spring County is on top of every situation pertaining to the COVID- 19 vaccine. We recently had a meeting with local healthcare leadership as to the rollout of vaccinations and where these would be administered," Thornton said.
He added, "This meeting was led by the Hot Spring County DEM ( Director of Emergency Management) Terry Eubanks. We believe we have our plan in place but simply are awaiting the arrival of more vaccines. The rollout of the vaccine has been very limited at this point."
Thornton concluded, "Terry Eubanks and I have multiple conversations daily as to availability and hope to have updated information soon to the public. We all understand the need and importance of this vaccine to arrive in a timely manner and will continue to make every effort to provide for the health and wellbeing of our citizens."
Davis knows many of their patients are trying to
receive the vaccine. She also knows there are a lot people haven’t been able to visit their loved ones and residents in healthcare facilities— but are looking forward to the day they can see them again. Pharmacists are the medication experts and no one is more prepared to handle vaccinations and answer patient questions about vaccines than pharmacists, she said.
The pharmacy posted a statement on its Facebook page Wednesday pertaining to the COVID- 19 vaccine and to inform the public their staff will distribute doses when more supply arrives.
“We ask once again that you please be patient with us as we work through our list to schedule COVID vaccine appointments. Please trust that we are doing the best we can with the small supply of vaccines we have been given,” the pharmacy stated. “We are working down our list, starting with our oldest patient. We’re currently trying to schedule appointments for all those older than 80, but we do not have a steady supply of vaccine at this time. Due to this, we cannot schedule appointments too far in advance.”
It was also noted to the public by the pharmacy, “please do not make repeat phone calls. If you signed up, then your name is on our ever- growing list. We are following the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines regarding Phase 1.”
The pharmacy also mentioned, “when it is your turn for an appointment, we will call ( or email) you to schedule. Please keep in mind, our appointment phone call may not be from the pharmacy’s phone number, as we have gracious volunteers helping us schedule and keep up with all the paperwork.”
Community Care Rx pharmacy has a COVID- 19 link on its Facebook page for patients to sign- up for the vaccine at https:// www. signupgenius. com.
The COVID- 19 vaccination sign up mentions to the public to please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up for the appropriate section ( healthcare worker or general public.) Pharmacy staff will contact patients regarding vaccination time. Also there is a link for information from the Arkansas Department of Health on the current COVID- 19 vaccination plan.
Davis also said Arkansas State University Three Rivers is helping with the COVID- 19 vaccine effort and the college can be contacted at 502- 332- 0280.
The Frontier Pharmacy in Bismarck has been approved to help with the vaccination and once all proper protocols and procedure guidelines are followed, the pharmacy will begin its COVID- 19 vaccine distribution.
No matter what the situation, Davis said Community Care Rx in Malvern will strive to be the pharmacy with a great big heart for its community.