Vindhya Basetty ’19 found herself among retired nurses, nursing students, and hospital pharmacists as they rolled out some of the first COVID-19 vaccines in the state.

As a second-year pharmacy student at Auburn University’s Harrison School of Pharmacy, Basetty administered her first vaccines on Dec. 16 at East Alabama Medical Clinic after the clinic received the shipments. She says the experience has been powerful and emotional.

“It’s always interesting to hear everyone’s stories and opinions regarding the vaccine,” Basetty says, “and there are so many opportunities to administer the vaccine through school and work.”

She gave eight vaccines to frontline workers and one pharmacy professor on her first day at the clinic, and she immediately felt the weight of the pandemic.

“I remember one man walking in to get his vaccine, and I asked him if he was OK because he seemed a little down judging his face,” she says. “He burst into tears explaining how his brother – an EMT – passed away a week before due to COVID. I was such an emotional wreck after that whole incident.”

Basetty hopes to get back to the clinic soon to continue administering vaccines, and, as the rollout progresses, continues to stress how social distancing and masking remain crucial to keeping our communities healthy.

Though she hasn’t studied the virus in class, she’s been doing her own research and reading on the coronavirus and the vaccine, and she’s sure that she’ll examine it more closely in future classes and in her pharmacy career. Basetty hopes to complete a pediatric pharmacy residency program and become a pediatric pharmacist at a hospital.

Between the opportunity to give vaccines and being a pharmacy student in the middle of the pandemic, Basetty recognizes the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system now more than ever.

“I believe pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare workers out there,” she says. “If you need a vaccine, all you would have to do is walk in and get it. If you have questions about your medication, the pharmacist is always there to talk to you about it – even without an appointment.”

Students who come to BSC with an interest in pharmacy can learn more about the career and develop a direct connection to pharmacy school through BSC’s Cooperative Bachelor’s Pharm.D. Degree Program with Auburn University, which was established in November 2020. Click here to learn more about admission to BSC and request information about the partnership with Auburn.

In this accelerated program, students complete a minimum of three years and 87 credit hours of pre-pharm curriculum at BSC, along with the application process to the Harrison School of Pharmacy, and then continue their education at Auburn.

“Pharmacists are essential healthcare workers, but for some reason, we don’t get recognized as essential,” Basetty says. “It is great to see pharmacists and pharmacy techs getting the recognition they deserve during the pandemic.”

Do you know of another BSC graduate supporting their community on the front lines? Email [email protected].