Is a Vaccine Program Right for My Pharmacy?

In 2025 alone, between 120 and 160 million vaccine doses were administered nationwide, with 39 million flu shots and 29 million COVID-19 vaccinations leading the way. It’s a multibillion-dollar market projected to nearly double—from roughly $29.5 billion today to $60 billion by 2033—and the question facing many independents is no longer whether vaccines matter but whether a vaccine program is truly right for their pharmacy.

Mark Metzger, vice president of merchandising and preferred partners for American Associated Pharmacies (AAP), discusses a 360‑degree view of the business pressures pharmacies face. He currently oversees AAP’s preferred partner program, RetailPlanograms.com, and the generic committee in collaboration with Cardinal Health and is the creator of Smart Sync, one of AAP’s latest ordering innovations.

In this session, Metzger moves past the rhetoric and into the realities of vaccine programs, including the regulatory and training requirements, the state-by-state authority differences for pharmacists and technicians, and the often‑overlooked financial mechanics behind contracts, wholesalers, and payment terms. He explains how a well‑structured vaccine program can do more than generate administration fees—it can drive OTC sales, deepen patient relationships, and even turn traditionally unprofitable brand products into meaningful contributors to the bottom line.

For independent pharmacy owners weighing risk against reward, Metzger’s perspective shows how to approach vaccines proactively, how to market a pharmacy as a vaccine destination, and how to navigate contracts and reimbursement to ensure that every shot given is not just clinically valuable but economically sustainable.

“Any pharmacy should be able to do a vaccine program,” he said. “I know there may be some time invested to get there, some things you have to study, but it's certainly worth it.”

Explore more of our coverage from the Total Pharmacy Solutions Summit Spring 2026: Growth Prescribed.