2024 Incentive Grant Recipient: Pegah Mohtashemi, PharmD
Project Proposal: Assessing Patient Motivations and Primary Reasons for Receiving Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccines
Pegah Mohtashemi is a PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Resident with her alma mater, USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Kroger Health in Los Angeles, CA.
"In today's dynamic healthcare landscape, community pharmacists stand as the most accessible healthcare professionals, continually adapting their roles to meet evolving needs. Shifting away from primarily dispensing prescriptions, our focus now encompasses direct patient care and informed guidance. Leveraging our accessibility and evolving roles, we are committed to being the compass that guides our community towards a safer, healthier future, emphasizing the importance of RSV vaccination for overall public health and well-being."
"The study was initiated to comprehensively understand the motivations and reasons driving individuals, particularly vulnerable demographics like older adults and pregnant women, to accept or decline the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine. Recognizing the potential severity of RSV infections in these populations, the aim was to shed light on their perspectives, concerns, and influences to inform targeted strategies for vaccine promotion and uptake. By uncovering the factors influencing RSV vaccination decisions, we aspire to contribute to improved vaccine acceptance, reduced disparities, and ultimately, enhanced public health outcomes in the fight against respiratory syncytial virus."
"The opportunity to contribute valuable insights into the motivations and perspectives of individuals towards the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, especially in high-risk demographics, is what excites me most about this project. Receiving an Incentive Grant would not only further fuel this critical research but also allow for the implementation of effective strategies to enhance RSV vaccine uptake and promote better public health outcomes. The prospect of positively impacting healthcare practices and fostering a safer environment for vulnerable populations through this initiative is exhilarating."