Study on the problems and implementation of vaccination in pharmacies according to the results of a survey of pharmacists in Ukraine and the prospects of their continuous professional development

Pharmacies, as health care institutions, could be involved in carrying out preventive vaccination measures to prevent influenza and new strains of COVID-19 with information support for pharmacy professionals, patients amd material base of pharmacies. Since after the pandemic in some EU countries vaccination is carried out in pharmacies. The aim study was to systematize the results of the experience of EU countries on vaccination issue against influenza and COVID-19 in pharmacies and the new roles of pharmacists; to study the awareness of pharmacists on vaccination in pharmacies, to identify areas for training in continuous professional development; to identify problematic aspects for vaccination implementation in pharmacies of Ukraine. Data from international literature on the implementation of population vaccination in pharmacies in EU countries and the new roles of a pharmacist were summarized and systematized. A study of pharmacists' awareness of the introduction of vaccination in pharmacies was conducted, a special survey was developed using Google form and was conducted for 205 managers and pharmacists from September 2025 to January 2026. Methods: systematization and generalization, content analysis of literature data, questionnaires, surveys, descriptive statistics methods. Systematization of literature data showed that vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 is effective, especially for risk groups. It was established that in some EU countries specially trained pharmacists have the right to conduct vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 in a pharmacy, provide pharmaceutical care on all issues of immunization. In Ukraine, after the COVID-19 pandemic, relevant legislative changes provided the possibility of conducting vaccination in a pharmacy subject to compliance with certain licensing requirements. The results of the survey showed that only 29.5% of pharmacists consider themselves prepared to conduct vaccination in a pharmacy, but the majority, 70.5%, indicate that they need thorough training, new cycles of postgraduate education in order to provide informational care to patients about the need for vaccination, selection of vaccines, taking into account data on age, gender, concomitant chronic diseases, the likelihood of adverse reactions, and vaccination timetable. Problematic aspects related to the material base of pharmacies, awareness of pharmacists, and the population regarding the introduction of vaccination in pharmacies in Ukraine were identified. Systematic measures are needed to educate pharmacists about vaccination, and to introduce reimbursement for influenza vaccines for at-risk groups, in particular for doctors and pharmacists.