Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to administer flu immunizations to persons nine years of age or older.
Summary
This bill would amend the Education Law to authorize licensed pharmacists in New York to administer influenza immunizations to people age nine and older. Under current law, pharmacists may already have authority to provide certain immunizations, and this bill would specifically add flu shots for this age group to that authority. The measure is narrowly focused and does not change who may prescribe vaccines or alter broader pharmacy practice rules beyond this immunization authorization.
The bill would take effect 90 days after becoming law. In practical terms, it would expand access to seasonal flu vaccination by allowing more patients, including school-age children and adults, to receive flu shots at pharmacies rather than only in other clinical settings. It would also place pharmacists more directly into the state’s immunization delivery system for influenza prevention.
Impact
The bill would amend section 6801 of the Education Law by adding a new subdivision permitting licensed pharmacists to administer influenza immunizations to persons nine years of age or older. This would expand the scope of pharmacy practice in New York and could increase access to flu vaccines, especially in community pharmacy settings. It would affect licensed pharmacists, vaccine recipients age nine and up, and potentially healthcare providers and public health programs that rely on pharmacy-based immunization delivery.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be straightforward and likely intended as a public health access expansion, with no recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials. The caption and language suggest a practical, noncontroversial approach to improving flu vaccination availability through pharmacists. Because no transcripts or vote history are available, there is no evidence in the record provided of organized opposition or support, but the bill’s limited scope suggests generally favorable treatment.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of concern, if raised in future discussion, could include pharmacist training, age-based vaccine administration protocols, and whether expanding pharmacy vaccination authority affects pediatric care coordination. However, the available record does not identify any legislators, stakeholders, or groups taking a position for or against the bill.
Permits licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations; permits physicians to issue non-patient specific orders to pharmacists for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older; permits pharmacists to issue patient specific orders for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older.
Permits licensed pharmacists and nurse practitioners to prescribe and order COVID-19 immunizations; permits physicians to issue non-patient specific orders to pharmacists for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older; permits pharmacists to issue patient specific orders for COVID-19 immunizations for patients two years of age and older.
Authorizes registered pharmacy technicians to administer the same immunizations as licensed pharmacists under direct supervision of such licensed pharmacist.
Authorizes registered pharmacy technicians to administer the same immunizations as licensed pharmacists under direct supervision of such licensed pharmacist.
Requires a health care provider who administers an immunization to a person nineteen years of age or older must report such information to the department of health or to the New York city citywide immunization registry unless the person receiving the immunization objects to such reporting.
Provides that licensed pharmacists may administer certain vaccines where a non-patient specific order exists or immunizations are authorized by the commissioner of health and are recommended for use by the New York state immunization advisory council or are identified by the department of health as necessary to address public health emergencies, outbreaks, or chronic disease prevention.