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. 2021 Dec;40(4):185-187.

Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccination Practices for 16 Vaccination Providers in Puerto Rico, 2021

Liliana Sánchez-González  1 , Joshua M Wong  1 , Alexandra Conde  2 , Marilyn Alicea  2 , Eunice Soto-Gomez  1 , Carla Feliciano  2 , Ángel Rivera  2 , Milton Martínez  2 , Gabriela Paz-Bailey  1 , Iris Cardona  2
Affiliations

Assessment of COVID-19 Vaccination Practices for 16 Vaccination Providers in Puerto Rico, 2021

Liliana Sánchez-González et al. P R Health Sci J. 2021 Dec.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To assess COVID-19 vaccine providers' adherence to best practices and identify knowledge and practice gaps to guide corrective actions and retraining activities in Puerto Rico.

Methods: A CDC supportive evaluation tool was modified to collect information on vaccine storage, handling, preparation, administration, and post-vaccination care. Assessment visits to COVID-19 vaccine providers in Puerto Rico were conducted a month after the availability of COVID-19 vaccines in the island.

Results: A total 16 vaccine providers were visited, 12 (75%) administering Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 4 (25%) administering Moderna vaccine. All providers adhered to correct handling practices after vaccine thawing. Required resources for managing anaphylaxis on site were available in all sites. Few instances of incorrect use of retractable-needle syringes, unapproved temperature monitoring devices, and lack of recorded temperature data were observed. Corrective actions were taken during the evaluation visit.

Conclusion: No major deficiencies that could jeopardize vaccine viability or patient safety were found. The use of a supportive evaluation tool during assessment visits is helpful to determine needs for vaccine providers retraining and to continue the safe administration of COVID-19 vaccines in Puerto Rico.

Objetivos:: Evaluar la adherencia a buenas prácticas de los proveedores de la vacuna contra el COVID-19 e identificar brechas de conocimiento y práctica para orientar acciones correctivas y actividades de reentrenamiento en Puerto Rico.

Métodos:: Se modificó una herramienta de evaluación de apoyo de los CDC para recopilar información sobre el almacenamiento, la manipulación, la preparación, la administración y la atención posvacunación de las vacunas. Las visitas de evaluación a los proveedores de la vacuna contra el COVID-19 en Puerto Rico se realizaron un mes después de la disponibilidad de las vacunas en la isla.

Resultados:: Se visitaron un total de 16 proveedores de vacunas, 12 (75%) administraron la vacuna Pfizer-BioNTech y 4 (25%) administraron la vacuna Moderna. Todos los proveedores se adhirieron a las prácticas correctas de manipulación después de la descongelación de la vacuna. Los suministros necesarios para manejo de anafilaxia estaban disponibles en todos los sitios. Se encontraron pocos casos de uso incorrecto de jeringuillas de aguja retráctil, dispositivos de control de temperatura no aprobados y falta de datos de temperatura registrados. Se tomaron acciones correctivas durante la visita de evaluación.

Conclusión:: No se encontraron deficiencias importantes que pudieran poner en peligro la viabilidad de la vacuna o la seguridad del paciente. El uso de una herramienta de evaluación de apoyo durante las visitas de evaluación es útil para determinar las necesidades de los proveedores de vacunas.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccine; Vaccination practices; Vaccination site supportive evaluation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

References

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