Survey: US Adults Prefer a Pharmacy Over a Mass Event to Receive COVID-19 Vaccines
New survey results released by NCPA suggest that many Americans prefer to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from a local health care provider over a mass vaccination event.
Most Americans prefer to receive their COVID-19 vaccines from a trusted health care provider, such as their pharmacist or physician, rather than being immunized at a mass event, according to the results of a recent survey.1
The new survey, which was released by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and conducted by Public Policy Polling from February 26-27, asked 1390 adults a variety of questions about COVID-19 vaccinations.1
Twenty-four percent of respondents indicated that the pharmacy would be their first choice for where to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Thirty-six percent listed a doctor’s office as their first choice and 23% said they would prefer to be immunized at a clinic, health center, or medical office. Only 4% reported a preference to be immunized at a mass vaccination event, such as events where thousands of recipients wait in parking lots or sports stadiums to be vaccinated by public health officials.1
Of those who have received their vaccine, 17% said they received it at a mass vaccination event, whereas 9% received it at a pharmacy or other store, according to the results.1
“Pharmacists are being underutilized,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey, RPh, MBA, in a statement.2 “Millions of Americans would prefer to get immunized by a local health care provider, like a pharmacist. Community pharmacies have the capacity and the ability to vaccinate many more people than they are currently able to because of the supply and pharmacy allocation issues.”
Twenty-six percent of adults surveyed said they have already received one of the COVID-19 vaccines and another 41% say they plan to be immunized as soon as they are eligible. Twenty-five percent said they do not plan to get the vaccine. Ninety-three percent of respondents indicated they would receive the COVID-19 vaccination if their physician or pharmacist suggested it.1
“Nearly 40% of Americans are already getting vaccinated for the flu by their local pharmacist,” said Hoey.2“Many Americans also rely on their pharmacist to treat minor ailments. The fact is that Americans trust their pharmacist. Pharmacists, because they are trusted, are in a much better position to counsel people who are reluctant to take the COVID-19 vaccines.”
References
- Public Policy Polling. National Survey Results. February 2021. Accessed March 11, 2021. https://ncpa.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/NationalToplines4.pdf
- National Survey Shows Americans Prefer a Local Health Care Provider Over a Mass Event to Get the COVID-19 Vaccines. News release. National Community Pharmacists Association; March 9, 2021. Accessed March 9, 2021. https://ncpa.org/newsroom/news-releases/2021/03/09/national-survey-shows-americans-prefer-local-health-care-provider
