Immunizations
General Description and Overview
Immunizations are a powerful public health tool—and a profitable service for pharmacies. With growing demand, expanded authority, and support from student pharmacists and technicians, vaccines are now the top patient care service in community pharmacies. Yet many patients still miss key immunizations, creating opportunities for pharmacies to proactively close those gaps and grow their impact.
"No Excuses" Vaccination Toolkit
Providing vaccination services should be a core competency of any community pharmacy. There are "no excuses" for why any pharmacy is not offering vaccines. This toolkit includes resources to help you tackle the toughest challenges from starting a brand new vaccine program to expanding services beyond flu to identifying how to maximize profits and public health. Organized by clinical and business considerations, this is your go-to resource for all things vaccines.
Maternal Immunization Resources
Many people receiving prenatal care face significant barriers to accessing and receiving recommended vaccines. This is where community pharmacies like yours can make a difference.
Vaccine Quick Tip Videos
Vaccine-preventable diseases are rising, and pharmacies are in a prime position to lead prevention efforts. This bite-sized, actionable video series from NCPA features expert tips from David Ha, PharmD, to help you boost immunization rates across diverse patient groups. Watch all five concise videos to strengthen your impact on public health and your business.
Show Me
Life-saving vaccines have a profound effect on the entire nation. Today, almost everyone can receive immunizations against once-common and potentially deadly infectious diseases in the US. However, many patients still fall through the cracks because providers fail to ask about details like travel plans, school health needs, or if they have received immunizations in high-risk environments.
As the emphasis on preventative care expands, many states are expanding pharmacists’ roles as experts in immunization. Patient immunization at a community pharmacy is so widespread now that the number one patient care service offered by community pharmacies is immunizations, highlighting the vital role pharmacists play in public health. In fact, 88 percent of community pharmacies now offer immunizations.
Independent Rx Forum
Welcome to Independent Rx Forum with RxConnexion and National Community Pharmacists Association. The leading advocate and business education resource for America's independent pharmacists.
Our "Vaccine Voices" series covers the the complexities of medical billing for immunizations, how building relationships with hospitals, local governments, and health entities can increase program revenue, and vaccination strategies across different demographics.
"As margins continue to shrink due to decreased PBM reimbursements, vaccines are a good way to increase your business & profitability. It also helps add value to your patient base and can be a great tool to increase business in other areas as well as providing exposure to local physicians and businesses on other services that pharmacies can provide."
-Brandon Cooper, PharmD, Soo's Drug & Compounding Center and Co-owner of Soo's West End Pharmacy, Jonesboro Ark.
Presentations
"I understand that starting an immunization program can seem overwhelming and certainly be stepping out of your comfort zone. But once you make the commitment, it is so easy."
-Tana Kaefer, PharmD, Clinical Coordinator for Bremo Pharmacies, Richmond, Va.
Questions?
Contact: Hannah Fish, Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives
[email protected]