ARLINGTON, Va. – National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) president and CEO Steven Anderson issued the following statement today upon the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) “third amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to increase access to lifesaving childhood vaccines and decrease the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks as children across the United States return to daycare, preschool and school”:

See HHS Announcement: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/08/19/hhs-expands-access-childhood-vaccines-during-covid-19-pandemic.html

Steven Anderson

“This is an extremely important public health decision to ensure young Americans, their families, our communities and our nation can benefit more completely from life-saving vaccines and from the paramount education, trust and accessibility of pharmacies and pharmacists. HHS Secretary Alex Azar and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Brett P. Giroir, M.D. have recognized the role of pharmacies and pharmacists as the face of neighborhood healthcare, which is essential given the challenges facing our nation right now and in anticipation of the months ahead.

“NACDS remains entirely focused on preparing as an industry and on advocating before federal and state governments to ensure preparedness for increasing flu vaccination rates, for helping Americans return to normal vaccine schedules, and for anticipating the deployment and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. This absolutely critical work continues, and today’s announcement by HHS delivers substantial progress that will benefit all Americans.”

An op-ed on pharmacist-provided vaccines was published today by Morning Consult.