Vaccinations

NACDS, NFID Webinar to Focus on Latest Guidance on Adult, Childhood, and Teen Vaccinations The March 1 webinar will be available on the NACDS Learner Community site for continuing education credit

admin2017-02-23T14:36:43-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Preparedness, Vaccinations|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is collaborating with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) on a webinar outlining the latest Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for adult, childhood, and teen immunizations. ACIP provides recommendations and guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the use of vaccines for effective control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the US. The live webinar will be held March 1, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST. The webinar is free of charge; however registration is necessary to participate.

NFID welcomes the opportunity to partner once again with NACDS on this vital shared commitment to advancing preventive care through immunizations. Working together with immunization stakeholders effectively advances efforts to improve patient care and overall health outcomes.

The immunization recommendations to be discussed on the webinar were presented at ACIP’s meeting February 22-23, 2017. It will summarize highlights from the event, which will be beneficial for those who were unable to attend. Initially accredited for physicians by NFID, the webinar will be available to pharmacists as a result of the partnership with NACDS.

One hour of CE credit will be available for this program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Following the live webinar, pharmacists seeking to claim CE credit should visit the NACDS Learner Community website. The webinar will available on the NACDS and NFID web portals as enduring education.

After the webinar, participants will be able to describe the most recent ACIP recommendations for adult and childhood/adolescent immunizations, explain how recent changes to vaccine recommendations will impact immunization programs, and discuss information on new and future vaccines for potential use in practice.

“NACDS is delighted to once again partner with NFID on promoting the public health benefits of vaccinations. Pharmacists are playing an increasingly important role in healthcare delivery, including vaccinating the public against seasonal influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Together, we can make great strides in reducing preventable illnesses and ensuring healthier communities.”

“NFID welcomes the opportunity to partner [ READ MORE ]

Congressional Letter This Week States: “Vaccines Save Lives”

admin2017-02-22T16:12:04-05:00Categories: Article|Tags: Pharmacy_Value, Vaccinations|

In a letter to their congressional colleagues this week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers highlighted the importance of immunizations which protect Americans—especially infants and children—against preventable serious and deadly diseases.

Vaccines are our front line of defense against infectious diseases, many of which have no treatment or can be life-threatening.

The representatives were clear in their central message: “Vaccines save lives.” The lawmakers pointed to the success of vaccinations in eliminating certain diseases in the U.S., including polio and measles. They noted that despite the effectiveness of vaccinations, there have already been reports this year of outbreaks of measles, mumps and whooping cough around the country, which presents a public health threat.

The letter was written by Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Lamar Alexander, (R-TN), ranking member Patty Murray (D-WA), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), ranking member Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), Health Subcommittee Chairman Michael Burgess (R-TX), and ranking member Gene Green, D-Texas.

The lawmakers wrote, “Vaccines are our front line of defense against infectious diseases, many of which have no treatment or can be life-threatening.” They said that with medical advancements “it is critical to recognize the importance of protecting public health against vaccine-preventable diseases.”

All 50 states in the U.S. now allow pharmacist-administered vaccinations and NACDS continues to advocate for expanded access to pharmacist-administered adolescent vaccinations. The ongoing effectiveness of vaccination—highlighted so effectively this week in the congressional letter—underscores the vital role pharmacy plays in improving patient health and outcomes with preventive, evidence-based approaches.

Pharmacist Provider Status Bill Re-Introduced in House NACDS thanks House and Senate champions for commitment to Medicare patients’ access to quality, accessible and affordable care

admin2017-01-23T08:31:50-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Medicare, Pharmacy_Value, Provider_Status, Vaccinations|

Arlington, Va. – The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (H.R. 592) was reintroduced on Friday, January 20, with the bipartisan original co-sponsorship of nearly one-quarter of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate bill (S. 109) was re-introduced on January 12. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) strongly backs the legislation.

Pharmacists remain among the most highly trusted professionals. That, combined with their extensive education and accessibility, create tremendous opportunities for patient care.

“NACDS thanks for their leadership Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) and Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) – the lead sponsors of the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act in the House,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “NACDS appreciates all of the 108 Representatives who have signed onto the legislation as original cosponsors. The work already is underway to build on the momentum that was started in the last Congress, to accelerate the campaign to enhance the quality, accessibility and affordability of patient care through pharmacist-provided services.

“NACDS members operate pharmacies in each and every Congressional District, and we look forward to telling their story as the face of neighborhood healthcare. Pharmacy’s story resonates in communities throughout the nation, where pharmacists are relied on heavily and can be leveraged even more for the benefit of Medicare patients.”

The bill would allow underserved Medicare patients to receive certain services from pharmacists, in states in which pharmacists already are permitted to administer the functions. Examples of these services include immunizations; helping seniors manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions and asthma; conducting wellness or prevention testing; and helping seniors take their medications correctly and as prescribed. Nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants currently can provide these services through Medicare.

“Pharmacists remain among the most highly trusted professionals. That, combined with their extensive education and accessibility, create tremendous opportunities for patient care,” Anderson said.

To sit for pharmacy Board licensure exams, candidates must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD), which requires a minimum of six years of professional education. Highly-educated pharmacists are tremendously accessible, with most Americans – 91 percent – living within five miles of a community pharmacy. [ READ MORE ]

NACDS Welcomes Return of Pharmacist Provider Status Bill in Senate Urges “acceleration” of effort to use pharmacist services to enhance the quality, accessibility and affordability of patient care

admin2017-01-12T22:18:00-05:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Medicare, Pharmacy_Value, Provider_Status, Vaccinations|

Arlington, Va. – The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act (S. 109) was reintroduced today with the bipartisan original co-sponsorship of more than one-quarter of the U.S. Senate. The return of the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives also is anticipated shortly. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) strongly backs the legislation.

We want today’s bill re-introduction to serve as an acceleration, and not just a continuation, of the campaign to enhance the quality, accessibility and affordability of patient care through pharmacist-provided services.

“NACDS truly appreciates the leadership of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) in re-introducing the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act as lead sponsors,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “NACDS thanks all of the 27 Senators who have made a powerful statement about this legislation by signing on as original cosponsors and sustaining this bill’s momentum from the 114th Congress into the current 115th Congress.

“We consider this bill’s swift and strong re-introduction a credit to these leaders in Congress, a credit to pro-patient and pro-pharmacy advocates, and a credit to the powerful story of pharmacies as the face of neighborhood healthcare. We want today’s bill re-introduction to serve as an acceleration, and not just a continuation, of the campaign to enhance the quality, accessibility and affordability of patient care through pharmacist-provided services.”

The bill would allow underserved Medicare patients to receive certain services from pharmacists, in states in which pharmacists already are permitted to administer the functions. Examples of these services include immunizations; helping seniors manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions and asthma; conducting wellness or prevention testing; and helping seniors take their medications correctly and as prescribed. Nurse practitioners and physicians’ assistants currently can provide these services through Medicare.

“Pharmacists remain among the most highly trusted professionals. That, combined with their extensive education and accessibility, create tremendous opportunities for patient care,” Anderson said.

To sit for pharmacy Board licensure exams, candidates must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD), which requires a minimum of six years of professional education. Highly-educated pharmacists are tremendously [ READ MORE ]

Elimination of Measles in Americas Highlights Vaccination Effectiveness

admin2016-10-06T12:26:39-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: Vaccinations|

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that measles has been eliminated in all of the Americas, the first region in the world to have eliminated the highly contagious disease, which primarily affects children.

The ongoing effectiveness of vaccination in combatting diseases illustrates the vital role pharmacy plays in improving patient health and outcomes with preventive, evidence-based approaches.

The WHO credited sustained vaccination campaigns for eliminating the preventable disease in the region.

Before mass vaccinations began in 1980, measles caused more than two million deaths a year worldwide. Vaccines have played a critical role in reducing the threat of the world’s most harmful infectious diseases. Worldwide, measles cases have dropped nearly 80 percent in the last two decades.

News of the elimination of measles in the Americas highlights the effectiveness—and importance—of vaccination and underscores the role pharmacy plays in providing accessible, affordable vaccinations in communities across the U.S.—and the world. A recent survey of 45 countries found that 97 percent of them have community pharmacy locations offering vaccinations, demonstrating the expansion of pharmacy immunizations globally. The WHO estimates that vaccination saves between two and three million lives a year across all age groups.

All 52 states in the U.S. now allow pharmacist-administered vaccinations and NACDS continues to advocate for expanded access to pharmacist-administered adolescent vaccinations, recently collaborating with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) on presenting a webinar on the importance of timely vaccination for all teens. In addition, NACDS recently presented its second annual national tour to expand pharmacy-based point-of-care testing, which also includes a vital “train-the-trainer” component.

NACDS also remains committed to helping to improve better coordination between public health departments and pharmacies to improve pandemic preparedness—and ensure vaccinating pharmacists are fully utilized during a pandemic. NACDS collaborated with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on preparing pandemic response resources: a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) template and an Instructional Letter to State Pharmacy Associations, State and Territorial Health Officials, and Pharmacy Providers.

The ongoing effectiveness of vaccination in combatting diseases illustrates [ READ MORE ]

NACDS, Stakeholders Release Pandemic Response Resources

admin2016-09-29T12:19:07-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: Community, Preparedness, Vaccinations|

A recent study in the journal Vaccine noted that achieving early and rapid vaccination coverage during an influenza pandemic would require better coordinated partnerships between public health agencies and vaccine providers, especially given the vital role pharmacists play in expanding access to pandemic vaccination.

However, little is known about nationwide coordination between public health programs and pharmacies for pandemic vaccine response planning.

In response to this need for better coordination between public health departments and pharmacies to improve pandemic preparedness—and ensure vaccinating pharmacists are fully utilized during a pandemic—NACDS collaborated with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create pandemic response resources.

To encourage early and ongoing participation of pharmacies in pandemic influenza plans, and increase public access to immunization services, the groups prepared aMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) template and an Instructional Letter to State Pharmacy Associations, State and Territorial Health Officials, and Pharmacy Providers.

CDC, Pediatrician Group Advise Against Nasal Flu Spray

admin2016-09-09T16:52:12-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: CDC, Vaccinations|

Citing poor effectiveness, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) do not recommend the nasal flu vaccine spray.

The AAP and CDC recommend that everyone ages six months and older receive a seasonal flu shot during the 2016-17 season…

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) announced in June that it didn’t recommend the nasal flu vaccine spray, citing studies that found the nasal spray vaccine did not protect against certain strains of the flu virus that were most prominent the past three seasons. The nasal spray vaccine effectiveness among children two through 17 years was three percent in 2015-16, compared with 63 percent for the injected vaccine. In a revised policy statement released this week, the AAP said it supports the CDC’s recommendation not to use the nasal flu vaccine.

The AAP and CDC recommend that everyone ages six months and older receive a seasonal flu shot during the 2016-17 season, noting that vaccination remains the best available preventive measure against the flu.

For updated flu vaccine recommendations for the 2016-2017 season, visit the CDC’s website.

Sharp Decline in Chickenpox Cases Highlights Importance of Vaccination

admin2016-09-09T15:28:12-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: CDC, Vaccinations|

Recent findings released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that cases of chickenpox have declined even further since the introduction of a second routine childhood dose of varicella vaccine in 2006.

News of the effective decline in chickenpox cases because of vaccinations bolsters the role pharmacy plays in providing accessible, affordable vaccinations in communities across the country.

The chickenpox vaccine was introduced in 1996, which led to approximately a 90 percent decline in cases of chickenpox, however because of continued outbreaks, the second routine dose of the vaccination was introduced. The CDC report noted an 85 percent decline in chickenpox cases between 2005-2006 (the end of the one-dose varicella vaccination program) to 2013-2014. The largest declines occurred among children and adolescents ages 5-14 years, the age groups most likely to have received a second shot of vaccine to prevent the disease.

The CDC has credited vaccination with preventing four million cases of chickenpox, 9,000 hospitalizations, and 100 deaths each year.

News of the effective decline in chickenpox cases because of vaccinations bolsters the role pharmacy plays in providing accessible, affordable vaccinations in communities across the country.

NACDS continues to advocate for expanded access to pharmacist-administered adolescent vaccinations and recently collaborated with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) on presenting a webinar, “Vaccines for Preteens and Teens: The Importance of Timely Vaccination for All Adolescents” in August, which coincided with the observance of August as National Immunization Awareness Month. The increased efforts to raise awareness of the importance of timely adolescent vaccinations were spurred by a report released by NFID in February. The report stated: “Retail pharmacies continue to expand their vaccination services and they are valuable partners for improving adolescent vaccination rates.”

NACDS also recently announced the launch of three demonstrations projects that aim to foster healthcare collaboration to increase pharmacy-based immunizations.

Proof of the effectiveness of vaccinations illustrates the pharmacy industry’s contribution to improving patient health and outcomes with preventative, evidence-based efforts.

Forging New Partnerships: NACDS-NFID Collaboration

sanderson2016-08-24T10:23:06-04:00Categories: Article|Tags: Pharmacy_Value, Preparedness, Vaccinations|

Feel free to share with all of your pharmacists the enduring education program – titled “Vaccines for Preteens and Teens: The Importance of Timely Vaccination for all Adolescents” – that NACDS and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) announced this week.

Beyond the knowledge and the continuing education credit, this program speaks volumes about the industry:

Power of Partnership. NACDS welcomes the opportunity to partner with NFID – another organization with a fantastic reputation in the public-health community. Its recent report stated: “Retail pharmacies continue to expand their vaccination services and they are valuable partners for improving adolescent vaccination rates.” This is a powerful statement – one the industry graciously embraces.
Vaccination as a Proof Point for the Industry. It is often discussed that pharmacy’s response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak in 2009 demonstrated the value of pharmacy access – particularly as it relates to vaccinations. Out of need, and out of proven effectiveness, pharmacists in 2009 gained the ability to administer the flu vaccine to adults in all 50 states – when Maine took that step. Since that time, pharmacists’ vaccination authority has expanded along with increasing appreciation of the day-to-day access and value that these professionals provide. In 2015, Georgia became the 50th state in which pharmacists can provide at least three adult vaccines. This remains a position of strength from which the industry can continue to build. The industry welcomes the opportunity to make a substantial contribution toward the federal recommendations for adolescent vaccinations. In so doing, NACDS also is striving to expand access to pharmacist-administered adolescent vaccinations in order to make further progress in this area.
One Example among Many. While vaccinations have become a convenient conversation point to explain pharmacy’s value, there are other examples – including recent examples in which NACDS is highly involved. In July, NACDS and the University of Pittsburgh announced plans for a national tour this fall to advance the Test2Learn™ Community-Based Pharmacogenomics Program – including a component that will provide the instruction necessary for pharmacists to administer the training to other pharmacists. In addition, NACDS this summer presented its second annual national tour to expand pharmacy-based point-of-care testing, [ READ MORE ]

NACDS, NFID Partner to Offer Webinar for Pharmacists on Preteen and Teen Vaccinations August 23 webinar will remain available on NACDS Learner Community site

admin2016-08-22T14:32:58-04:00Categories: Press Release|Tags: Preparedness, Vaccinations|

Arlington, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) is collaborating with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) to present a live webinar, “Vaccines for Preteens and Teens: The Importance of Timely Vaccination for All Adolescents,” on Tuesday, August 23, at 12:00 noon (EDT). Registration is necessary to participate.

Initially accredited for physicians, the webinar now is available to pharmacists as a result of the NACDS and NFID partnership. The webinar and continuing education (CE) credits are open to all interested parties. One hour of CE credit will be available for this program, which is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Following the live webinar, the program will be available on NACDS’ and NFID’s web portals as enduring education.

The webinar coincides with the observance of August as National Immunization Awareness Month, and reflects NACDS’ and NFID’s consistent work to promote the public health benefits of vaccinations. Timely adolescent vaccinations are essential for protection from preventable cancers, meningitis and other serious diseases. The increased efforts to raise awareness of the importance of timely adolescent vaccinations are a result of a report created from a discussion convened by NFID in February 2016.

“NACDS is really pleased to be able to partner with NFID on this important initiative. It has the potential to leverage even further the role of pharmacists as convenient access points for vaccinations and as sources of information about important health topics,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “Particularly since the H1N1 influenza outbreak of 2009, the public health community recognized the important role of using pharmacists to assure pandemic preparedness as well as to foster ongoing healthcare access.

“I hope the pharmacy community and our allies in public health will share the information about the live webinar event and about the enduring education opportunity, so as many pharmacists as possible can benefit from this program.”

“NFID is pleased to partner with NACDS to share this important resource and to further our joint commitment to protecting the public against vaccine-preventable diseases. Working collaboratively with other related organizations and [ READ MORE ]

National Association of Chain Drug StoresPharmacies. The face of neighborhood healthcare.