Recognizing the need for education and increased opportunities to receive immunizations, the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) and the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) collaboratively developed Operation Immunization. This was the first service project of this magnitude in the history of APhA or SNPhA. This program is an immunization education campaign designed to increase the public's knowledge of immunizations while raising the number of adults receiving immunizations. Participants include all of the APhA-ASP chapters with the help of trained practitioners and other healthcare professionals trained and certified to give immunizations.

While Operation Immunization is designed to benefit the public, your college campus is a great place to begin raising immunization rates and increasing awareness. Currently, the American College of Physicians recommends that annual influenza vaccine should be required for every healthcare worker with direct patient activities. These vaccines can effectively be given throughout the year and will prevent more than 50,000 deaths alone. APhA-ASP encourages participants to continually increase community awareness of immunization information and advise patients on where they can obtain the proper immunizations year-round.
 

Results

Operation Immunization was launched as an official APhA-ASP National Patient Care project in 1997. Since that time, over 1.3 million individuals have an immunization through the Operation Immunization campaign. The 2018-2019 campaign had the following results:

• 119 chapters participated 
• 13,133 student pharmacists participated
• 898 faculty participated
• 1,059 pharmacy practitioners participated
• 114,812 patients immunized 
• 138,767 patients received Health & Wellness/Clinical Services 
• 2,553,351 patients reached through public relations initiatives 

APhA-ASP recognizes each chapter that implements an Operation Immunization program in their community. One Chapter from each of the eight APhA-ASP regions are recognized during Mid-Year Regional Meetings. In addition, the eight regional winners, along with one national winner, and two national runners-up are recognized during during the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition at the APhA-ASP Opening General Session and in Student Pharmacist magazine.

Centers for Disease Control

Vaccines for Health Care Professionals

Operation Immunization Award Report & Recognition

Recognition will be awarded to the top chapters nationally at the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition. Chapters receive the following cash awards:

National Award Winning Chapter = $1,000
National 1st Runner-up = $750
National 2nd Runner-up = $500
Regional Award Winning Chapters - Regions 1-8 = $250 

Operation Immunization Report Submission

To be considered for regional and national awards for APhA-ASP Operation Immunization activities, chapters can complete an essay and submit a separate chronological list for the project events (e.g. Operation Immunization Chronological List) within the APhA-ASP Chapter Achievement Report form. Guidelines and information on the submission process can be found within the APhA-ASP Chapter Achievement Report information. 

Operation Immunization Regional and National Award Recipients

Join us in celebrating this year's accomplishments by watching the 2018-2019 Operation Immunization Reflection Video. 

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 award recipients!!

National Award: Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy

National 1st Runner-Up Award: Idaho State University College of Pharmacy

National 2nd Runner-Up Award: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy

Region 1 Award: The University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy

Region 2 Award: University of Maryland School of Pharmacy

Region 3 Award: University of Florida College of Pharmacy

Region 4 Award: University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy

Region 5 Award: The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy

Region 6 Award: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Pharmacy

Region 7 Award: University of Utah College of Pharmacy

Region 8 Award: The University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy

Thank you to the Supporter!

APhA-ASP Operation Immunization is supported by Walgreens.