WASHINGTON, DC -- Vaccines save lives and are the best defense against many diseases. Pharmacists and the public rely upon the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for scientifically backed recommendations and information to support balancing their health risk with choice. The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) supports those scientists and researchers who dedicate their careers to critically evaluating and analyzing data to recommend evidence-based vaccines that protect the public. APhA is deeply troubled that the United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary unilaterally removed all 17 ACIP voting members without following formal protocols.

WASHINGTON, DC – APhA is the only pharmacy representative among several professional organizations that reviews and evaluates the ACIP Adult Immunization Schedule annually. Recently, there have been several updates to the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations made by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These changes include removing the recommendation for people who are pregnant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), and Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), this week introduced H.R. 3164,  the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act (ECAPS), bipartisan legislation that would ensure Medicare beneficiaries can access select testing and treatment services from pharmacists.

WASHINGTON, DC (April 21, 2025) — The American Pharmacists Association announces the release of Recommendations for Health Plans and Pharmacists to Advance Coverage for Pharmacists’ Services in the Medical Benefit. The recommendations are designed to improve patients’ access to care and health outcomes by expanding coverage for pharmacists’ patient care services under health plans’ medical benefits.