NACDS highlights pharmacies’ role in vaccination access

ARLINGTON, Va. — As National Immunization Awareness Month comes to a close, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores is highlighting the role of community pharmacies in providing convenient access to vaccines and preventive care.

Through its Nourish My Health initiative, NACDS emphasized pharmacies’ role in helping patients stay up to date on recommended vaccinations, especially as the respiratory illness season approaches. The association noted that vaccination can be especially important for older adults and people with chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, who face greater risks from respiratory illnesses.

“As we head into respiratory season, pharmacies are often the fastest and easiest place for patients who want access to vaccines to get protected,” said Steven C. Anderson, NACDS president and CEO. “Patients count on their pharmacy for convenient vaccination access, and that access matters most in the months when respiratory illnesses put the greatest strain on patients and communities.”

Americans visit pharmacies nearly 10 times more often than they visit their primary care providers, according to NACDS, creating frequent opportunities for pharmacists to administer vaccinations and other preventive health services. Many pharmacies also offer extended hours and vaccinations without appointments.

NACDS said its member pharmacies support immunization access through pharmacist-led vaccination services, seasonal and routine immunizations, workplace and drive-thru flu shot clinics, and resources that help patients identify pharmacies offering needed vaccines.

Approximately nine in 10 Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy, according to the association. NACDS said that proximity makes pharmacies an important point of access to healthcare, particularly during respiratory season.

The association also linked vaccination to its broader focus on preventive care through Nourish My Health. Launched in 2023 in partnership with national health organizations, the initiative promotes baseline health screenings, healthy eating, and improved nutrition security as part of efforts to reduce chronic disease.

NACDS said the link between chronic disease and the risk of complications from vaccine-preventable illnesses underscores the importance of combining vaccination with screenings, nutrition and other preventive health services.