<p>^^^^Well, from what I’ve learned, doctors aren’t making much money off providing vaccines. If anything. Jaylynn, a CC member and pediatrician, has stated as much if memory serves.</p>
<p>I don’t think they should be forced in general, but since it’s one hell of a lot cheaper for someone without insurance or with crappy insurance to go to the pharmacist for a shot than a doctor, I’d much rather spend my money at a pharmacist that gives shots than one that doesn’t. </p>
<p>And, if it’s part of the job description, then… yeah, they should be forced or get a new job. </p>
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<p>It’s disgusting that pharmacists can let their “morals” trump the health of a customer- I’m with you on this point.</p>
<p>The main concern I have is that giving injections has never been part of a pharmacist’s job description traditionally. It is a new development pushed by chains to make an extra buck that actually takes a lot of time which should go into making sure you got the right prescription. If I worked for a company for several years and the they fired me for inability to give shots, I’d probably see a lawyer. There are MANY pharmacists unhappy with giving injections. To me, there has to be a better way–I’d rather have someone administering shots who does it on a regular basis.</p>
<p>I don’t see vaccines as a new thing to be any different from any other job… You didn’t used to have to use a computer to write insurance, but you sure do now. Times change.</p>
<p>My H has to use a computer and he makes parts, he pounds on things including keyboards.
He has a work laptop that is his alone and is required to use it as much as some desk jockeys.
He absolutely loathes it.
The workplace has also changed in that employees cannot smoke tobacco, even at home.
As far as I know, tobacco is still legal, but it is within the employers right to control things that may affect their employees performance.</p>
<p>Pharmacies have been giving vaccines for at least ten years-its not like its an unusual requirement.</p>
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<p>I agree. Nursing has evolved over time since I got into the profession, particularly with respect to technology and documentation requirements. You change with the times or get out. </p>
<p>Learning to give injections isn’t rocket science. There is no reason why a pharmacist couldn’t become just as proficient at it as a nurse or doctor. They already have one of the most important qualities: they know about the vaccine, its benefits, its side effects, its pharmacokinetics, etc. They probably have taken anatomy and physiology. If they receive the proper instruction, they should be just fine.</p>
<p>Now whether or not they view this development as a pain is another matter and could be true. At my facility, nurses have been unhappy that our aides were not replaced if they resigned and we are now expected to clean beds, make them, and transport them after discharging our patients, in addition to the other numerous nursing duties that are already hard enough to complete before we get the next admission. I can either go with the flow or I can quit. For now, I grumble to myself and carry on.</p>
<p>I did a bit of googling on this, and discoverd that it’s legal in all 50 states. In many locales pharmacists need to take some kind of certification course that includes CPR.</p>
<p>On pharmacist discussion boards there’s a lot of discontent about it, mainly because they feel they are already overworked–at the big chains–and that none of the $30 for a flu shot goes into their pockets. </p>
<p>In most situations, rather than being fired, inoculation refusers are forced to become floaters or work the graveyard shift.</p>
<p>Well, the chains don’t make money off it that’s for sure. And you’re right–a pharmacist is quite capable of giving shots–that’s not what the focus of pharmacy school is however.
Better questions are to ask the pharmacist if s/he would get the vaccine themselves. But they’ll be too busy filling prescriptions to answer properly. I’m sure some chains have figured this out–I see “vaccine” tables on a regular basis at Wal-Mart–one person in charge maybe weekly.
And I also know that making beds is definitely not the focus of nursing school. I worked at the time when aides were let go in favor of “total care”–one nurse who did everything. Gone were the friendly faces of aides and in their place were very overworked nurses who didn’t have the energy to smile. And yes, a lot of nurses quit–good nurses who knew that was not the focus of their profession no matter who wrote it into their job description.
And as to keeping up with the times–new is not always better, experience counts for a lot.</p>
<p>^^^^^At times I confess that numerous times I have thought “gee, I’m glad I studied soooooo hard in nursing school to be able to do my job” as I wipe down a dirty bed and lug dirty laundry down to the laundry drop off.</p>
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<p>Why couldn’t you ask this question? Our pharmacy has a “consult” section where you are entitled to ask pharmacists questions about your medications. Don’t see why you couldn’t ask this question at the consult station beforehand. At my pharmacy, they are busy of course, but whenever I’ve asked for a consult, I’ve gotten one, so I don’t see how a pharmacist could be too busy to answer questions about a vaccine if they aren’t too busy to answer a question about blood pressure medicine or diabetes medication.</p>
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<p>I’m an experienced nurse who has to keep up with the times in order to keep my license as well as my job. It’s just part of the deal…</p>
<p>Nrds–I hope every pharmacist will have the time to answer all your questions just as every nurse will take care of you in a timely manner and as every doctor should sit and talk to you on a personal level within their 5 minute allotted time period.
As “too busy to answer a question”…no pharmacist ever wants to be “too busy” to do that–that’s why pharmacists exist and go into the profession. But honestly there are only so many hours in a day and economics rule.
I could be saying that the nurse is just sitting at her station not doing anything because that’s what I would observe as a patient. She’s sitting around staring at a computer checking boxes. Big deal. Actually, as a patient I’d be sitting in my room wondering when I was going to get some water or go to the bathroom. Really could use that aide.
I keep up with the times also–and I know from experience that new is not always better.</p>
<p>Geez, my Costco pharmacist gave me Shingles shot, and I paid $200 for the pleasure. I think we both got ripped off, but no choice. He did a good job.</p>
<p>I always felt spoiled, in that my parents both gave shots in their professions. My mom worked with geriatrics, and was the true expert. As scary as it seem, one can start with oranges and move on to friends with large veins. Just takes practice and motivation.</p>
<p>Bookworm–I’m not against better distribution of health care and do think pharmacists are a good community resource. Just not a free one. And I do think practice makes perfect–I think the public is better served by those who WANT to give injections (not forced to as the friend of the OP). Glad you had a good experience.</p>
<p>Giving injections isn’t hard at all. I used to give both my husband and myself weekly injections, and my “training” took less than 5 minutes. Maybe they should put flu vaccine in pre-filled syringes so people who are comfortable giving injections can “DIY” it at home.</p>
<p>axw, I’ve been trained to handle diabetic emergencies and have injected my fair share or oranges.
I still want my immunizations recorded and done by a licensed person. Sending it to me at home - not so much…</p>
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<p>I’m with you… Have had several friends who had very painful shingles outbreaks in the last few years. Asked about the vaccine, and was told $250. I think I’m getting it this year instead of waiting three years for insurance payout.</p>
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<p>On the pharmacy discussion boards they commented that the first shot pays for the vial out of which many are inoculated (forget how many), and that subsequent shots are pure profit. They say it’s a becoming a significant revenue stream.</p>
<p>The shingles shot may pay for itself but flu shots do not. If they did, your physician would still be happy to give you one.</p>
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<p>Most shots are given deep into a muscle or into the adipose tissue or even just under the skin. I’ve never given a shot directly into someone’s vein. I start IVs every day, but that is the only time I ever access a vein with a needle.</p>
<p>I wonder if a moderator would consider changing the title of the thread to something which is more indicative of the content, like “Pharmacists giving vaccines” or something similar. “Please Discuss” is too vague, imo.</p>
<p>I would say yes, it would be a part of the description of what a pharmacist does for a high school person researching it NOWADAYS. Not so much 40 years ago!<br>
I worked as a “medication technician” while I was in pharmacy school. They developed this program and gave us a semester course to prepare and both UNC and Duke employed us to relieve the nurses of the duty of giving medications plus we were able to count the hours towards our internship requirements. It was great, really was and gave me hospital experience of a sort. I never had a problem with shots even though I shook like a leaf with the first one. LOL. Drew blood! Had to withdraw and start anew. I couldn’t believe it. Ugh. Nowadays, many years later, I do NOT want to be giving shots. But if I had to…I would try my best through therapy to overcome my phobia so I could keep working.<br>
Said friend is of retirement age anyway so just threw in the towel.</p>