NACDS applauds HHS and CDC recognition of vaccinations, pharmacy

ALEXANDRIA, Va. An organization catering to the drug retailing industry applauded the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for designating a week that underscores flu vaccinations.

HHS and CDC announced that the week of Jan. 10, 2010 officially has been designated National Influenza Vaccination Week. HHS and CDC are working with healthcare providers to educate, encourage and engage Americans on the importance of vaccinating against the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu.

“With over 80,000 pharmacist-vaccinators located in pharmacy and walk-in clinic settings in all 50 states, pharmacy stands ready to assist the government in this laudable national public health activity,” said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson. “Located within two miles of the average American, pharmacies are truly the face of neighborhood healthcare and are an integral part of our healthcare delivery and vaccination systems.”

NACDS and their member companies have been actively working with government officials and agencies in preparing for and in response to the H1N1 flu pandemic.

“It is critically important that at-risk individuals continue to take the proper precautions and preventive measures like vaccination against the flu,” added Anderson. “As America’s most accessible healthcare provider, pharmacy will continue to beat the vaccination drum and further demonstrate the important role and value of pharmacy throughout National Influenza Vaccination Week and beyond.”

For more information on National Influenza Vaccination Week activities, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/index.htm.