2026 Immunization Champion Awards
About
The APhA Immunization Champion Awards recognizes individuals and organizations within the profession of
pharmacy who have made extraordinary contributions towards improved vaccination rates within their
communities.
The “Immunization Neighborhood” represents a vital concept where healthcare providers unite through
collaboration, coordination, and communication. It emphasizes the seamless interaction among immunization
stakeholders, including pharmacies, pharmacists, immunization coalitions, physicians, nurses, and public
health departments. The primary focus is on fulfilling the immunization requirements of individual patients
while safeguarding the community against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Please Note:
Operation Immunization projects are not eligible for these awards; those should be submitted to the APhA–ASP
Awards program. Colleges/Schools of Pharmacy may; however, submit nominations that are not conducted solely
by an APhA–ASP chapter.
The award categories include:
Acknowledges entities such as pharmacies, clinics, and government institutions that improve
vaccination rates by fostering community engagement while upholding the principles of the
"immunization neighborhood."
Honors non-pharmacist health care personnel who advocate for pharmacists' roles in
immunizations; such as coalition leaders, community influencers, policymakers, and
healthcare professionals.
Celebrates individual pharmacists who actively contribute to enhancing vaccination rates in
their communities, embodying the principles of the "immunization neighborhood."
Recognizes a non-pharmacist team member (ie. Technician, Store manager, etc.) who champion
immunizations, identify at-risk patients for vaccination, and support pharmacists in various
immunization-related activities.
Commends a practitioner or pharmacy offering travel health services, encompassing
consultations, medications, and comprehensive travel vaccines.
Honors individuals with distinguished careers in pharmacy, known for their significant
contributions to improving the nation's health, advancing immunization, and expanding pharmacy
roles in immunizations.
Please note that, while APhA offers all categories for nomination, all awards may not be awarded each year.
Evaluation Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated on their immunization activities, based on the following criteria:
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Impact
How the nominee's work supported and/or utilized pharmacists to improve immunization rates,
education, or access. This may also highlight how the individual's work has advanced pharmacists'
role as a valued member of the "immunization neighborhood" and healthcare team, and improved
immunization rates across their community throughout the lifespan.
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Collaboration, Coordination, and Communication
The extent of collaboration, coordination, and communication with other healthcare providers, public
health organizations, and/or other organizations within their community or practice setting to
address an immunization issue and/or provide immunization services.
-
Originality
The creativity, innovation, and originality utilized by the nominee in achieving increased
vaccination rates, access, and/or education in their community. Nominations should highlight new or
enhanced activities over the previous year.
-
Challenges and Opportunities
The challenges and opportunities that the nominee encountered and how they addressed those issues.
Nomination process
The nominator is responsible for submitting a complete award nomination.
Entries may be self-nominated or by someone else. Nominations must include the following:
- Nominee information (contact information and practice setting)
- Vaccination data (if applicable)
- Responses to four short answer questions describing the nominee’s efforts to improve vaccination
rates within their communities, focused on:
- impact,
- collaboration, coordination and communication,
- originality, and
- challenges and opportunities
- Photos (1 MB or larger) and videos of the nominee providing immunization services (two photos are
required and additional photos or video are optional, but strongly encouraged)
Selection process
The selection is made by the APhA Staff working with the Immunizations Community leaders and past award
recipients based upon careful review of the complete nominations and criteria listed above. Attention
will be given to the individual’s impact on the profession.
Nature of award
Each award category includes a national winner and may include honorable mention of recipients.
National Winners Receive
- Annual Meeting Registration
- Up to $750 or the maximum amount allowed by APhA policies for travel reimbursement
- Return air ticket to the Annual Meeting
- $500 honorarium
- Crystal award
Honorable Mention Recipients Receive
- Annual Meeting Registration
- Up to $750 or the maximum amount allowed by APhA policies for travel reimbursement
- Return air ticket to the Annual Meeting
- $100 honorarium
- Award plaque
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