On March 06, 2020, Gulf Medical University (GMU), in collaboration with Washington State University (WSU), Spokane, USA, delivered an influenza vaccination training workshop for practicing pharmacists. GMU and WSU are partnering in this initiative through a signed MOU that includes collaboration in education, practice, and research.
The influenza vaccination training was a one-day event that included lecture sessions, hands-on training and assessments. The learning sessions were a mix of live synchronous, face-to-face and hands-on from the WSU expert Dr. Kimberly McKeirnan, GMU’s Dr. Dixon Thomas, and licensed pharmacist at GMU Academic Health Center. Our licensed nurse Ms. Sija Binoy from GMU trained the participants on vaccine administration. Manikins were used to administer intramuscular injections of inactivated influenza vaccine. . After the training, knowledge of participants was assessed with validated MCQs with internal consistency and vaccination skills were tested using OSCE as an assessment of learning.
Vice Chancellor for Quality and Global Engagement and Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Prof. Sherief Khalifa commented: initiation of vaccination training for pharmacists is a milestone in advancing the scope of pharmacy practice in the country. We will be working closely with the regulatory bodies in the country to include vaccination as part of the services provided by pharmacists. This is inline with the new regulations governing the pharmacy profession in UAE.