For over 65 years, Haller’s Pharmacy in Fremont has been providing essential services to the Tri-City community. And now they are offering in-home vaccinations to those unable to visit the store in person.
Said Director of Pharmacy Sanjay Patel, “Since the pandemic we have offered this service to a handful of our customers who are either bed-bound or physically disabled or just cannot leave the house for one reason or another. We go out and personally administer the vaccines to them, all in the comfort of their own home.”
COVID-19 and flu shots are the most common vaccines needed, but Haller’s also provides RSV, Tdap, Shingles, MMR and Pneumonia immunizations. And they only charge for the medicine—travel expenses are free.
“It can be very complicated for many of these people just to leave the house,” explains Patel. As an example, he describes a customer who is confined to her bed, surrounded by medical equipment. “She can’t open the front door, so she just leaves it open. There is a caregiver, but they are not always there. I have come by several times to administer a vaccine and she is just lying there, alone in her home.”
Patel usually visits customers himself so as not to draw on pharmacy staff, and over the years, a certain trust has formed. “They recognize me, they know it’s me who’s coming, so they don’t have to worry,” he says.
Eighty-six-year-old Sonia is one of those customers. She’s in a wheelchair. “Haller’s is very good at ensuring that we are being taken care of in a timely manner. It’s such a great service,” she notes.
Many customers call in ahead of time to schedule their in-home visits. “Usually they’re pretty good about it,” says Patel. But he admits that sometimes it can be challenging working with the elderly, especially those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. “We check their records, and then double check with the state website to make sure their doctor hasn’t administered [the vaccine]. We have to be pro-active because sometimes our customers forget.”
Patel feels that it is this personal attention that sets Haller’s apart from the big chains. He is passionate about serving his community, and since becoming head pharmacist in 2019 has greatly expanded services. “One of my first acts was to set up a vaccine program in the store.” He chuckles. “Then the pandemic hit and all hell broke loose.”
Haller’s was on the front lines of the medical effort to try and halt the spread of COVID-19, teaming up with Fremont Fire Department and Alameda County Immunization Department to administer the new vaccine. Now Patel is again working with Alameda County to provide treatment to the Fremont homeless population for substance abuse.
It’s all part of a philosophy that a pharmacy should be more than just a dispensary, but rather a provider of services that complements city, county and state health care. A philosophy of which Walt and Belle Haller would most certainly be proud.
For more information, or to schedule an in-home vaccination, contact:
Haller’s Pharmacy
37323 Fremont Blvd., Fremont
510.797.2772
