Breaking barriers: Implementing pharmacy-based immunisation training in an unauthorised country for preparedness of potential workforce and enhancing public health
Introduction: In South Korea, pharmacists lack authorisation for immunisation. The imperative for vaccine administration workforce readiness was emphasised by the COVID-19 pandemic. This report aims to share the experiences of implementing pharmacy-based immunisation training with other countries contemplating similar endeavors. Methods: Systematic and stepwise approach was applied to implement pharmacy-based immunisation training, which included international faculty collaboration, needs assessment, task force and local support, programme implementation, and feedback assessments. Results: Forty-eight participants were certified and expressed high satisfaction with educational content, speaker engagement, and practical training of injection techniques. They also mentioned the opportunity broadened their insights on global pharmacy activity and advocate expanding the scope of pharmacy practice. Conclusion: This initiative represents significant efforts in advancing pharmacy education and public health preparedness. The aim is to share the experience and insights from this project to provide a model to the pharmacy community of other countries contemplating similar endeavors.
Authors
- Sandy Jeong Rhie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2554-3370)
- Hoai-An Truong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2096-8724)
- C.H. Kim
- See-Won Seo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9920-1771)
- Barry A Bleidt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5715-3057)
- Joon Seok Bang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4082-3592)
Institutions
- World Bank (US)
- Ewha Womans University (KR)
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore (US)
- Sookmyung Women's University (KR)
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pharmacy Education
- Published
- 2025-06-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.46542/pe.2025.251.381385
- Primary Topic
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
- American Pharmacists Association
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill