The Technology, Initiatives Advancing Immunization Services in the US

From providing its pharmacists with real-time data to making the patient experience as seamless as possible, Walgreens pharmacies are helping community members tackle respiratory virus season head-on with the help of new technology and initiatives.

“We're leveraging data to better understand and engage with our customers. For example, when you're due for a vaccine or eligible for a screening, you'll receive outreach via your preferred method, email, phone, or just an app notification,” Samantha Picking, PharmD, senior director of immunizations at Walgreens, told Drug Topics. “Once flu actually starts ramping up, people can use what we call our Walgreens Flu Index, which tracks flu activities in local communities.”

Picking joined Drug Topics during National Immunization Awareness Month to discuss the importance of vaccination and the increasingly immense role pharmacists play in promoting public health initiatives.

Whether it’s a Walgreens pharmacy, or any other community pharmacy location, pharmacists have been on the front lines when it comes to vaccinating. And while the COVID-19 pandemic may have served as a precursor to the pharmacist’s increased capabilities in the vaccine space, these providers have been administering immunizations for over 20 years.

Learn more about Walgreens’ ongoing initiatives, plus the upcoming programs they have in the pipeline, and find out why pharmacies continue to be a premier destination for immunization services.

Check out more of our content from National Immunization Awareness Month.

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