APhA recognizes Touro College with immunization award

NEW YORK The American Pharmacist Association has given its Immunization Champion Award to a school of pharmacy in New York City.

Touro College of Pharmacy, in the Harlem neighborhood, was among more than 100 nominees competing for the ward, which receives support from Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics. The award program will take place at the APhA’s annual meeting in Washington from March 12 to 15.

“In December 2009, pharmacists in New York state were approved to provide immunizations to adults 18 and older,” college dean Stuart Feldman said in a statement. “Since then, the College of Pharmacy has been meeting its community’s immunization needs by working with partners to set up neighborhood vaccination sites that are accessible and where people feel comfortable visiting.”

The award is meant to recognize pharmacists’ contributions in improving vaccination rates. The APhA award went to Touro for its partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York Academy of Medicine, where faculty, staff and students provided more than 2,000 influenza immunizations in the Harlem community during the last flu season. Pharmacists from the college also immunized more than 600 people during Harlem Immunization Week, which took place between Oct. 17 and 23.