FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Thomas R. Clark
703-739-1300
Email: tclark@ascp.com

ASCP’s 100% Immunization Campaign is Now on the Web

Alexandria, VA, April 6, 2000—The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) 100% Immunization Campaign has launched its official Web site at www.immunizeseniors.org. The site provides extensive information promoting immunization of older adults. The primary goal of the 100% Immunization Campaign is to ensure that all older adults are immunized against influenza and pneumococcal disease, including residents of nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.

"Over 50,000 older adults die each year from vaccine preventable diseases," said Thomas R. Clark, RPh, MHS, ASCP Director of Professional Affairs and coordinator of the 100% Immunization Campaign. "This web site will be a key tool to reach older adults and those who care for older adults, to educate them about this important public health issue."

The site is organized into separate sections providing information targeted to older adults and their families and to health care professionals.

The section for older adults gives answers to common immunization-related questions and concerns, and addresses vaccination-related myths regarding the effectiveness and dangers of immunizations. Other features include:

• Why Should Older Adults be Immunized?
• Which Immunizations Do I Need?
• What if I Get the Flu?

The health care practitioners’ section provides professional resources and contacts, as well as information on promoting immunization in nursing facilities and influenza treatment strategies. Other features include:

• Treatment of Influenza
• Immunization Contact Persons—State-by-State directory
• Immunization News

The site also provides links to other immunization-related resources on the Web.

The 100% Immunization Campaign is coordinated by ASCP, and supported by a grant from Merck Vaccine Division. A steering committee with representatives of 18 national organizations has primary responsibility for planning and implementing the campaign. The organizations participating in the campaign share an interest in promoting immunization practices in older adults and long-term care settings.

For more information, check out the site at www.immunizeseniors.org, or contact ASCP Director of Professional Affairs Thomas R. Clark. (tclark@ascp.com).

 The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) is the international professional association that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to advance the practice of senior care pharmacy. Consultant pharmacists specializing in senior care pharmacy practice are essential participants in the health care system, recognized and valued for the practice of pharmaceutical care for the senior population and people with chronic illness. In their role as medication therapy experts, consultant pharmacists take responsibility for their patients' medication-related needs; ensure that their patients' medications are the most appropriate, the most effective, the safest possible, and are used correctly; and identify, resolve, and prevent medication-related problems that may interfere with the goals of therapy. ASCP's 7,000 members manage and improve drug therapy and improve the quality of life of geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, subacute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and in their homes.

100% Immunization Campaign participating organizations:

• American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
• American Geriatrics Society
• American Health Care Association
• American Health Quality Association
• American Medical Directors Association
• American Nurses Foundation
• American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
• Assisted Living Federation of America
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
• National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care
• National Association for Home Care
• National Caucus and Center on Black Aged, Inc.
• National Center for Assisted Living
• National Citizens Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
• National Coalition for Adult Immunization
• National Council on Aging
• National Hispanic Council on Aging
• Technical assistance for the Campaign is provided by:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Health Care Financing Administration