Reducing barriers to seasonal vaccines in underserved communities
October 15, 2025 | 2-minute read
For the past several years, Genoa Healthcare pharmacies across the nation have offered free flu and COVID-19 vaccines to uninsured individuals through a dedicated health access program. The program, which supports Genoa’s broader mission to address social drivers of health and ensure that all have a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health, will continue this 2025-2026 flu season.
“Many of the individuals who receive vaccinations through the health access program may otherwise not have the opportunity to access them,” said Genoa pharmacist Sandre Iheme, Brownsville, Texas, who’s pharmacy participated in the program last year. “Being able to reach and serve this vulnerable community is one of the reasons I love being a pharmacist at Genoa.”
Genoa pharmacies, which are located within community mental health centers, provide the free vaccines to uninsured individuals right on site at the clinic where they’re located. Genoa also hosts standalone vaccine clinics in communities with high uninsured populations and historically low vaccination rates to reduce as many barriers to care as possible for members of these communities.
As part of the 2024-2025 program, Genoa identified eight communities that met these criteria and hosted over 80 dedicated vaccine clinics in them.
In total, Genoa Healthcare’s health access program administered over 8,300 vaccine doses across 47 states and territories during the 2024-2025 flu season, almost 11% more vaccinations than the previous season.
“The growth we saw in our program last year reiterates the need for access to these vaccines,” said Genoa pharmacist George Batiste, New Orleans, Louisiana. “This program is so important to these communities, and I’m thrilled we’re continuing with it this year.”
If you would like more information on Genoa’s health access program or would like to partner on getting vaccines to communities in need during the 2025-2026 flu season, please reach out to your local Genoa pharmacy team.