European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER’S KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION ON PHARMACISTS’ ROLE AND ITS IMPACT ON THEIR WILLINGNESS TO RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE FROM PHARMACISTS

*Pillas P.J., Baliza J.R., Belleza S.G., Domingo G.L.J., Resuello M.A., Rulona M.A., Supleo K.A., Andal M. MSPharm, Rubenicia A.M. MSPharm, Santiago C. Ph. D. Pharm

ABSTRACT

The rapid spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has brought a global health challenge to humankind. One of the ways to put this pandemic under control is to provide a vaccine to people that will produce immunity. To achieve rapid population-wide coverage of COVID-19 immunization, the Philippine Pharmacists Association (PPhA) had planned to involve pharmacists in the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to the public. However, public perception of the professional role of pharmacists has been always limited as most people view them as employed only in pharmacies. This study aimed to determine the relationship of knowledge and perception of public school teachers in Jalajala, Rizal towards the roles performed by community pharmacists and the extent of their willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine from them. This study utilized a correlation descriptive study design and probability sampling. A validated survey questionnaire based on the Likert scale was disseminated to the respondents via Google forms. The findings indicated that public school teachers are much knowledgeable about the roles of community pharmacists with respect to dispensing, compounding, patient counselling, and immunization. This study also shows that the respondents are willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from community pharmacists. It is concluded that the prior knowledge and perception of the respondents on community pharmacists’ role have a significant relationship to their willingness to be vaccinated by community pharmacists.

Keywords: Community pharmacists, public school teachers, COVID-19 vaccine, willingness.