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.
Program Results
Operation Immunization was launched as an official APhA-ASP National Patient Care project in 1997. Since that time, over 1.4 million individuals have an immunization through the Operation Immunization campaign. The 2019-2020 campaign had the following results:
- 121 chapters participated
- 17,880 student pharmacists participated
- 951 faculty and staff members participated
- 1,182 pharmacists participated
- 113,391 patients immunized
- 123,687 patients received health and wellness services
- 18,703,916 individuals 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.
Online Resources
Centers for Disease Control
Vaccines for Health Care Professionals
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
We are excited to announce the 2019-2020 Overall National Patient Care Project Results. Join us in celebrating the 2019-2020 Operation Immunization Regional Award Recipients! The national awards will be announced at APhA2021.
Region 1 Award: MCPHS University School of Pharmacy Boston
Region 2 Award: West Virginia University School of Pharmacy
Region 3 Award: Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy
Region 4 Award: University of Cincinnati James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy
Region 5 Award: The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy
Region 6 Award: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy
Region 7 Award: Idaho State University College of Pharmacy
Region 8 Award: University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy
Thank you to the Supporter!
APhA-ASP Operation Immunization is supported by Walgreens.
