The Use of Geographical Information Systems to Improve Vaccine Services, Uptake | NCPDP 2025
In her expertise as a leader with the American Pharmacists Association, Brigid Groves, PharmD, MS, provides insights into her work with geographical information systems and maps.
With the help of newly established geographic information systems (GIS) and maps, pharmacies now have better access to identifying needs in vaccine uptake in their respective communities. Patients too can utilize GIS and maps to more easily find pharmacies around the country that provide immunization services.
Brigid Groves, PharmD, MS, Vice President of Professional Affairs at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), recently caught up with us at the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) 2025 Annual Conference, held May 5 to May 7 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Before her conference presentation, titled “Using Geographic Information Systems and Maps to Improve Immunization Practices in the United States,” Groves discussed how these new technologies are benefitting both patients and pharmacists.
“We saw an opportunity where we wanted to help identify pharmacy locations that offered vaccines,” Groves told Drug Topics. “Using NCPDP’s data queue set, it has an item in there that indicates whether or not a pharmacy offers vaccines and we felt it would be really valuable to have a map that indicated those locations as points.”
Learn exactly how these GIS initiatives are making a positive impact on immunization rates in the US. From maps available to assist pharmacies to online tools for patients to find immunization services at the click of a button, the adoption of these NCPDP-approved technologies has potential to significantly improve public health in the US.
Read more from our coverage of NCPDP 2025.
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