Higi stands with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and its members in their public health campaign urging all Americans to complete their flu vaccination
The campaign, with its emphasis on fighting health disparities, highlights the role of pharmacy as a community-based resource with the ability to deliver preventative care in every community
Chicago, IL – October 21, 2020 – Higi, a consumer health engagement company with a network of Smart Health Stations located primarily at retail and pharmacy, today announces its support of NACDS, its member companies, and their public health campaign urging all Americans to complete their flu vaccination this year. The message carries additional weight as healthcare organizations across the country anticipate the dual threat of both flu and Covid-19 and emphasizes the importance of retail pharmacy as a healthcare partner and delivery mechanism for the flu vaccination.
Pharmacists are among the nation’s most accessible healthcare professionals, with 90% of Americans living within 5 miles of a community pharmacy[1]. As a partner to many NACDS member companies, Higi recognizes the unique position of retail pharmacists to provide access to the flu vaccine to populations that typically lack access through other channels. In support of this message, Higi is leveraging its messaging platform to help create awareness of the importance of the vaccine and to encourage all Higi users to talk to their pharmacist about getting a flu shot. In addition, Higi has launched a Vaccination Guide across its network of retail-based Smart Health Stations, offering all consumers the ability to better understand which vaccines they and their families may need and be eligible for, including a strong call to action for the flu shot and the ability to learn more about a Covid-19 vaccination and the status of its availability to the general public through retail pharmacies, once approved by the FDA.
“We are excited to welcome Higi’s collaboration to drive awareness and action in support of our flu vaccination awareness campaign,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. “Their relationships with retail pharmacy and their customers make Higi a strong collaborator to help us amplify this important call to action. We appreciate the ways that Higi is helping to communicate this important public health message – their efforts will be particularly critical as we seek to reach underserved communities and provide education and access to flu vaccinations as well as safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations when they are available.”
Messaging from NACDS, which encourages customers to talk to their pharmacist about a flu vaccine, will display across more than 8,000 Higi Stations. Additionally, Higi will amplify this messaging across its email and social platforms, reaching an additional cohort of engaged users with a strong call to action.
“We strongly support the NACDS and their urgent call for all eligible Americans to complete their flu vaccination,” said Jeff Bennett, CEO at Higi. “As we prepare for the impact of both flu and Covid-19 this fall and winter, we recognize that retail pharmacy partners will play an essential role in the fight to keep our healthcare systems functioning, and we are honored to be able to lend our platform in support of this important message.”
The complete Flu Vaccination Toolkit from NACDS is available at https://www.nacds.org/toolkit/
About Higi
Higi is a consumer health engagement company making it easier for all people to measure, track and act on their health data through a free nationwide network of over 10,000 FDA-cleared self-screening smart health stations located in pharmacy retailers and other community points of trust. Enhanced by over 80 different third-party integrations (i.e. apps, devices, monitors, EHRs and more), higi’s smart health stations connect across the existing healthcare ecosystem, bridging station activity with digital tools to interact with consumers on the go and extend engagement, making it easier for consumers to remain active in their health. Healthcare stakeholders use higi as a new access point to better reach, connect with and activate targeted populations; collect biometric and other health determinant data to stratify and prioritize; motivate consumers to take specific actions at a point of care or within the expanding care ecosystem activated by higi connectivity. To date, more than 68 million people have used a higi station to conduct over 372 million biometric tests. For more information, visit us at www.higi.com.
About NACDS
NACDS represents traditional drug stores, supermarkets and mass merchants with pharmacies. Chains operate nearly 40,000 pharmacies, and NACDS' 80 chain member companies include regional chains, with a minimum of four stores, and national companies. Chains employ nearly 3 million individuals, including 155,000 pharmacists. They fill over 3 billion prescriptions yearly, and help patients use medicines correctly and safely, while offering innovative services that improve patient health and healthcare affordability. NACDS members also include more than 900 supplier partners and over 70 international members representing 21 countries. Please visit NACDS.org.
[1] https://www.nacds.org/ceo/2020/0320/PharmacistAsFrontline.pdf