ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores has praised the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for designating January 10 to 16 as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Amid the national debate on health care reform, NACDS has consistently advocated community pharmacy’s position as a convenient, low-cost and effective provider of health care services — citing as one key example the chain drug industry’s proactive approach in making sure seasonal and H1N1 flu shots are readily available to millions of Americans.

The association noted that HHS and CDC are working with health care providers to educate, encourage and engage Americans on the importance of vaccinating against the both the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses.

"With over 80,000 pharmacist-vaccinators located in pharmacy and walk-in clinic settings in all 50 states, pharmacy stands ready to assist the government in this laudable national public health activity," Steve Anderson, NACDS president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Located within two miles of the average American, pharmacies are truly the face of neighborhood health care and are an integral part of our health care delivery and vaccination systems."

NACDS said the association and its member companies have been actively working with government officials and agencies in preparing for and in response to the H1N1 flu pandemic.

"It is critically important that at-risk individuals continue to take the proper precautions and preventive measures like vaccination against the flu," Anderson explained. "As America’s most accessible health care provider, pharmacy will continue to beat the vaccination drum and further demonstrate the important role and value of pharmacy throughout National Influenza Vaccination Week and beyond."

NACDS said more information on National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) activities can be found on the CDC web site at www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/index.htm.