{"id":352492,"date":"2021-09-28T06:06:58","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T20:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=352492"},"modified":"2021-09-28T06:06:58","modified_gmt":"2021-09-27T20:06:58","slug":"brabu-now-offers-vaccines-and-covid-19-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/brabu-now-offers-vaccines-and-covid-19-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"Brabu now offers vaccines and COVID-19 testing"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Brabu
Brabu Pharmacy technician RJ Dris administers a vaccine\/immunization shot to a patient. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Brabu Pharmacy on Middle Road has expanded its services and is now offering various immunizations, vaccine shots, and a drive-thru COVID-19 testing. These services come after over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people now understanding how important taking care of one\u2019s health is by using preventive measures as a first line of defense, either by getting immunizations, getting COVID-19 tests for travel requirements, or simply for one\u2019s peace of mind.<\/p>\n

According to PharmDr. Brianne Pamparo, they started administering vaccinations in April when Brabu Pharmacy\u2019s pharmacy technicians were given authorization to give vaccines under the Health and Safety Prevention program. Right now, Brabu Pharmacy offers the following vaccines for administration: Shingrix, varicella (chickenpox), tetanus, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps and rubella, pneumonia, influenza and HPV. Their protocol for all vaccines is for ages 13 and up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe majority of chickenpox (varicella) vaccines we are doing now are for booster shots,\u201d she said. Also, certain vaccines are routinely administered together like flu, pneumonia, etc.<\/p>\n

As for the COVID-19 vaccine, Brabu Pharmacy emphasized that right now this vaccine is only available at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.<\/p>\n

Pamparo said that for people who already got their COVID-19 vaccine, it is okay to get the other shots as well. \u201c\u2026the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has updated the guidelines so patients can get the COVID vaccine on the same day as other vaccines. \u2026[Before the new guideline] it [used to be] two weeks between vaccines\u2026but now the CDC is recommending they can receive [the COVID-19 vaccines] with other vaccines. \u2026Some people say they get the flu shot and get sick from it, which is not true as they may have picked up something between the two weeks that it takes for the [flu] vaccine to become effective.\u201d<\/p>\n

For vaccines mentioned, Brabu Pharmacy accommodates walk-ins from 9am to 12pm only. The period from 12pm to 6pm is for appointments only. \u201cWe accept medical insurance like Aetna, Calvo\u2019s Insurance, Blue Cross. \u2026We have a contract with pretty much all the medical providers out there except Medicaid because they require that the patient go to the hospital and get the service from there,\u201d Pamparo said.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026We keep track of everyone: when they get the first shot and, when they are due for their second shot, we call to remind them to come in,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Brabu\u2019s COVID-19 testing started yesterday after acquiring the analyzer and kit last week. \u201cWe do not offer COVID-19 vaccination shots but COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing and our pharmacy technicians do the testing. \u2026This is not a PCR test but an antigen test to show if you have an active infection or not. \u2026This is for people make sure that they don\u2019t have it or if they need it as a travel requirement,\u201d Pamparo said. \u201cThe process just takes 15 minutes and for only $48. Unfortunately, it\u2019s not covered under any insurance. We give it between 9am and 5:30pm and we require an appointment. To make it convenient for people, we also do it while they are in the car. When they arrive, they can just call us and we will go out to do the testing. This process is beneficial, like if they have a chance of testing positive, they are not exposed to others,\u201d Pamparo added.<\/p>\n

Brabu owner and pharmacist Ted Parker said that Brabu Pharmacy added these services because this is part of preventive medicine. \u201cAnything that you can do to prevent people from getting sick is our responsibility and because we are here in the community as opposed to being in a hospital or a clinic, most patients find it more accessible here\u2014a lot quicker as you can just get in, get your shot, and you walk out. \u2026When you go to a clinic or hospital, waiting time could be two or three hours to get a flu shot or something like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a general trend in the U.S. mainland and more people are getting their vaccinations in their local pharmacy. The states that have very good rates of COVID-19 vaccination is because most patients went to the local pharmacy and got their COVID-19 vaccination. It\u2019s just a matter of providing that service to the public, improve public health in general and you do that by preventing disease and that\u2019s what vaccinations do,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note:<\/strong> This article was updated on Sept. 28, 2021 at 3:52pm to clarify some points.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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