Importance of Pharmacovigilance in Assurance of the Safety of COVID -19 Vaccination

Abstract

At present, society should fight with different types of dangers associated with healthcare, environmental pollution, global warming, etc. But today, when challenges of the world are absolutely new and life style became different, the most important to create and develop the safe and effective treatment against COVID-19, and of course along with this, increased role of pharmacovigilance and pharmacist. During this difficult time, pharmacists have been on the front lines managing and preventing the spread of COVID-19. But now, with the introduction of a new vaccines to prevent the virus, things seem to be taking a turn in the right direction. But importance of the pharmacist role is significantly increased and especially its role in pharmacovigilance and safe immunization. On December 11, 2020, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first COVID-19 vaccine after thorough evaluation of the vaccine’s available safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality information. The side effect monitoring and risk management system become vitally important and needs well established plan, that should be followed by any professional in the Healthcare system. The first doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine were administered beginning on December 14, 2020. This marked the beginning of what will likely be a long process to administer the vaccine to the general public, in which pharmacy professionals will play an important role. For example, in some countries pharmacists are involved in vaccination procedure to speed up the immunization of the citizens. In Georgia, numbers of pharmacies are merged with mini-clinics, where the immunization procedures are conducted. So appropriate distribution and dispensation of vaccines, gathering the information about side effects and transferring the safety information to authorities will be main task of the present-day pharmacists in Georgia. In such reality, it is essential, to provide the highest level of patients’ safety, to do records of any, even not significant side effects, during massive immunization. In this conditions, vitally important, well-coordinated and organized communications of stakeholders. And this work one of the most important will be the new technologies and methods of communication. To do quick share of the gathered information, all interested parties should be well instructed and trained, and of course motivated, that in case of even not significant adverse reactions, inform Regulatory Authorities immediately. This increased demand speaks to the importance of pharmacists and pharmacy professionals in the current healthcare landscape.