Pharmacy Student Administers First COVID Vaccine for Rite Aid Location

As an intern for Rite Aid, second year Wegmans School of Pharmacy student Christiana Santos had the opportunity to administer the community pharmacy’s very first Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. And, coincidentally, she gave it to a very special person: her grandmother.

“Giving my grandma the vaccine was such a special moment that will stick with me forever,” Santos said. “Knowing that I was helping her achieve more peace of mind in this time of uncertainty was everything. You always wish that you could do more for those you love and this was an opportunity unlike any other.”

Through her coursework and immunization training provided in the program’s curriculum, Santos gained knowledge about syringe handling, reconstitution and vaccine administration. After receiving her immunization certification this past summer, Santos was then authorized to administer the COVID vaccine under the guidance of a practicing pharmacist. Santos says that Rite Aid is only offering COVID-19 vaccinations for people 65 and older, in addition to ancillary vaccinations for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, shingles, pneumonia, and the flu.

Administering vaccinations has become one of her favorite parts of the internship because of the great interactions she has with patients. She also loves that her internship gives her an opportunity to provide people with a better quality of life.

Santos obtained the internship with Rite Aid after the pharmacy sponsored a lunch during the Wegmans School of Pharmacy P1 orientation.

“I have to thank the School of Pharmacy and its wonderful faculty for all the effort they put into making these opportunities available to us,” said Santos. “I am proud to be a Wegmans School of Pharmacy student and I look forward to the many opportunities to come!”

This article was written by Riley Moscicki '21, an intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications.