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National Influenza Vaccination Week: Why Medical Practices & Pharmacies Should Prepare Now with USPPG

Each year, the first week of December marks National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW)—a CDC-recognized observance that highlights the importance of seasonal flu vaccination and encourages healthcare organizations to boost immunization rates in their communities. For medical practices, clinics, pediatric offices, urgent care centers, and pharmacies, this week is not just a public health milestone—it’s a strategic opportunity to increase patient engagement, prepare for peak flu season activity, and optimize vaccine purchasing processes.

As a healthcare provider, you already know the critical role influenza vaccination plays in reducing hospitalizations, preventing complications, and improving community health outcomes. But what many practices don’t realize is how joining a physician buying group like US Physicians’ Purchasing Group (USPPG) can help reduce your vaccine purchasing costs, streamline ordering, and support your practice’s financial stability during flu season and beyond.

Whether you’re a small private practice or a multi-location pharmacy, National Influenza Vaccination Week is your reminder: It’s time to reinforce your vaccine strategy, maximize your purchasing power, and ensure your shelves remain fully stocked. Here’s how USPPG can help.

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What Is National Influenza Vaccination Week?

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is held annually during the first week of December to reinforce the importance of flu vaccination—even late into the season. Many patients mistakenly believe that December is “too late” to receive their flu shot, but public health guidance has consistently emphasized that flu activity often peaks between December and February and can extend into the spring.

NIVW allows healthcare providers to:

  • Re-engage patients who have delayed vaccination
  • Improve vaccination coverage rates
  • Educate the community about flu prevention
  • Highlight the importance of protecting vulnerable populations
  • Prepare for holiday-season spikes in illness and travel-related exposures

For practices and pharmacies, this week serves as a high-value touchpoint for patient outreach—and an essential reminder to ensure vaccine inventory is available at competitive pricing.

Why December Is Critical for the Influenza Vaccine Market

While many practices pre-order their flu vaccines in the previous late winter/early spring, December remains a crucial month for:

1. Stocking Up to Meet Increased Demand

Many patients do not schedule routine care appointments until after the holidays. Pediatric and primary care practices often see an uptick in January and February visits, which means practices must maintain adequate vaccine supply well into winter.

2. Serving High-Risk Populations

Older adults, young children, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic conditions may miss earlier flu shot opportunities and require vaccination later.

3. Mitigating Supply Chain Delays

Manufacturers and distributors occasionally experience supply constraints during heavy flu seasons. Practices that rely on last-minute ordering may experience shortages or pay premium pricing.

4. Optimizing Financial Strategy

Cost savings on vaccines during the height of flu season can significantly improve margins—especially for independent practices that operate with tight budgets.

This is where membership in USPPG can play a major role in reducing the cost burden for providers of all sizes.

How USPPG Helps Practices and Pharmacies During Flu Season

USPPG is a physician buying group (PBG) that does not directly sell vaccines but instead secures discounted pricing through collective negotiation with top manufacturers and distributors. Members gain access to exclusive pricing tiers and rebates that are typically unavailable to individual practices purchasing alone.

Here’s how USPPG supports its members during National Influenza Vaccination Week and throughout the year.

1. Significant Discounts on Influenza Vaccines

USPPG offers members access to competitive pricing on influenza vaccines from major manufacturers, including:

  • GSK
  • Pfizer
  • CSL Seqirus
  • And other leading suppliers

These negotiated discounts help practices:

  • Lower per-dose cost
  • Increase profit margins
  • Provide flu shots more affordably
  • Order higher quantities without financial strain

2. Contract Negotiation Power You Can’t Get Alone

One of the biggest challenges for smaller practices is the inability to negotiate pricing due to limited order volume. USPPG solves this by combining the purchasing power of hundreds of practices nationwide to secure commercial terms that benefit all members.

This includes:

  • Volume-based discounts
  • Better tiered pricing
  • Access to rebate programs
  • Reduced minimum order requirements

3. Support for Late-Season Ordering

During National Influenza Vaccination Week, many practices recognize that they underestimated their vaccine needs. USPPG ensures members have access to:

  • Updated vaccine availability notices
  • Alternate product options if certain doses are limited
  • Guidance on ordering strategies to extend vaccination through spring

4. No Cost to Join & No Minimum Purchasing Requirements

One of the major advantages of USPPG is its free membership model. There are:

  • No sign-up fees
  • No annual fees
  • No minimum purchase requirements

This makes the group accessible for:

  • New practices
  • Small, independent clinics
  • Single-location pharmacies
  • Growing practices that want flexibility
  • Large multi-provider or multi-site organizations

5. Streamlined Administrative Support

Flu season is already hectic. USPPG removes some of the administrative burden by offering:

  • Assistance with contracts
  • Help understanding rebate eligibility
  • Guidance on estimating annual vaccine needs
  • Support for onboarding and account setup
  • Ongoing access to dedicated member support

Why NIVW Is the Perfect Time to Join USPPG

The first week of December is a pivotal time for healthcare providers. While many patients are thinking about the holidays and New Year, healthcare organizations should be preparing for the second wave of flu vaccination demand.

Joining USPPG at this time helps practices:

  • ✔ Secure better pricing for end-of-season ordering
  • ✔ Prepare for January and February patient surges
  • ✔ Increase patient outreach opportunities
  • ✔ Strengthen practice revenue
  • ✔ Simplify inventory management

Tips for Practices to Maximize National Influenza Vaccination Week

To make the most of NIVW, medical practices and pharmacies should consider the following strategies:

1. Launch an End-of-Year Patient Outreach Campaign

Use email reminders, text messages, and in-office signage to encourage patients who postponed flu vaccination earlier in the season.

2. Promote Walk-In Flu Shot Availability

Pharmacies and clinics can attract additional foot traffic by offering flexible, no-appointment-needed vaccination hours.

3. Educate Patients About the Benefits of Late-Season Vaccination

Reinforce CDC messaging:

  • It’s not too late to get the flu shot
  • Immunity develops within two weeks
  • Flu season runs through spring
  • Vaccination is especially important before holiday gatherings

4. Evaluate Vaccine Inventory & Place Additional Orders if Needed

Use the momentum of NIVW to:

  • Assess remaining stock
  • Estimate month-to-month usage
  • Order additional supply through your USPPG-affiliated contracts

5. Use USPPG Membership to Reduce Late-Season Costs

If you’re not already a member, now is the ideal time to join.
If you are a member, take advantage of negotiated pricing to place a final large order for the season.

Who Should Join USPPG?

USPPG membership is ideal for:

  • Primary care practices
  • Pediatric practices
  • Internal medicine providers
  • Family medicine offices
  • Urgent care centers
  • Independent pharmacies
  • Multi-site healthcare groups
  • Mobile or community health providers

Final Thoughts: Prepare for Flu Season Success with USPPG

National Influenza Vaccination Week is more than a reminder for patients—it’s a strategic opportunity for healthcare providers. As flu activity increases throughout winter and early spring, practices must stay stocked, stay prepared, and stay financially strong.

US Physicians’ Purchasing Group empowers medical practices and pharmacies with the purchasing strength they need to reduce costs, simplify ordering, and maximize their ability to serve their communities.

With no fees, no minimums, and substantial savings, joining USPPG is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to prepare your organization for flu season success.