National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual event in August that highlights the importance of staying up to date on recommended vaccinations so that everyone can have the chance to live healthier lives protected against preventable diseases.

Pharmacists are highly trusted and accessible health-care providers who have a critical role to play in raising public awareness about the importance of immunization and reaching patients in their communities.

Here’s a collection of some of the immunization-related resources we have available:

Pharmacists' vaccination authority across Canada

From COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots to routine immunizations and travel vaccines, pharmacists are authorized to administer a broad range of vaccines. Here’s an overview of the vaccines and injections pharmacists are authorized to administer across Canada.

Improving the childhood vaccination experience

Whether you’re administering vaccines in your pharmacy or helping parents and kids understand the benefits of immunization, there’s lots of information to wade through.

Resource Round-up: Our Resource Round-up: Childhood vaccination compiles a bunch of resources that can help you improve the childhood vaccination experience.
CARD: The CARD (comfort, ask, relax, distract) system provides strategies that can be used to help patients of all ages cope before and during vaccination. The Canadian Pharmacists Journal featured the CARD system in its January/February 2023 issue supplement.
CPS Full Access: Available with a CPS Full Access subscription, our chapter on Routine Childhood Vaccinations provides information on essential vaccines and offers strategies for reducing pain during vaccinations. The chapter also includes a valuable infographic, “Childhood Vaccinations – Frequently Asked Questions by Canadian Parents and Caregivers,” specifically crafted to help address vaccine hesitancy among parents and caregivers.

CPhA Learning

Upcoming webinar: An Update on Immunization Guidelines for Pharmacists: Key Changes and Best Practices (September 9, 2025)
Free online course: Navigating the RSV Threat (1.5 CEUs)

Measles: What you need to know

With increased measles spread worldwide, pharmacy professionals are getting more questions at the pharmacy counter about symptoms, prevention and vaccination. Check out our measles fact sheet for support in those conversations with patients. We have also updated our viral skin rashes chapter in CPS Full Access with new information, including new photos and descriptions of symptoms in skin of colour. Log in or subscribe to CPS to learn more.

Pharmacist Q&As

As part of our Pharmacy Check-in Series, CPhA caught up with a few Canadian pharmacists to hear about their practices and the important role pharmacists play in vaccinating their communities.

Jaelee Guenther