The American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA) recently assessed the volume of pharmacy immunization reporting done nationwide. The 2014 Survey of Immunization Reporting to Immunization Information Systems by Major U.S. Pharmacies used qualitative methods to assess the number of pharmacies reporting data to immunization information systems (IIS). The survey also assessed how well pharmacy management systems exchanged data with IIS.

Through this assessment, AIRA aimed to identify those states successfully partnering with pharmacies and pharmacy chains and whether or not reporting was accomplished via state mandates. AIRA also collected data on which pharmacies/pharmacy chains are providing vaccination services, which pharmacies most actively report to IIS, and the methods by which pharmacies report said data. The assessment also captured threats and challenges to successful IIS and pharmacy management system interfacing. AIRA offers recommendations to address those challenges.

AIRA recognizes that pharmacies play an important role in increasing immunization coverage, in part because of pharmacies’ accessibility to both traditional and underserved populations. This stance is in keeping with that of NACCHO, which is working to strengthen partnerships between local health departments and pharmacies. Read the AIRA Survey of Immunization Reporting to Immunization Information Systems by Major U.S. Pharmacies here.